Junior Doctors' Blindfold Protest at KGH Enters 13th Day Over Unmet Demands

Junior doctors at Andhra Medical College continued their agitation on Saturday, staging a symbolic protest at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam. The doctors tied ribbons over their eyes as a mark of their ongoing strike, which entered its 13th day on Saturday.

The protest was intended to highlight what the doctors described as the government’s failure to acknowledge their workload, responsibilities, and concerns. The junior doctors said they have been working long hours and carrying a significant share of the healthcare burden, yet their efforts and genuine concerns remain unaddressed.

The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) also drew attention to the disparity in stipends between Andhra Pradesh and other States, stating that this disparity reflects a lack of recognition for the work and responsibilities shouldered by junior doctors.

“Our work, concerns and the disparity in our stipends are not visible to the government. We urge the government to focus on our genuine demands and take immediate steps to resolve them,” the junior doctors said in a statement.

The symbolic blindfold protest is part of a series of demonstrations held by junior doctors since the strike began. The doctors have been demanding better working conditions, fair stipends, and a more responsive administration. They argue that the current circumstances place undue stress on medical professionals, which ultimately affects patient care.

The strike has disrupted routine services at KGH, although emergency services continue to operate. Hospital authorities have made arrangements to ensure that critical care is not affected. However, the prolonged nature of the agitation has raised concerns among patients and their families.

Junior doctors are essential to the healthcare system, often serving as the first point of contact for patients in government hospitals. Their training involves exhaustive hours and high-pressure situations, making their demands for recognition and fair compensation a matter of systemic importance.

The disparity in stipends between Andhra Pradesh and other states has been a recurring issue. In several neighbouring states, junior doctors receive significantly higher stipends, which the APJUDA argues is unfair given the comparable workload and responsibilities. The association has called on the state government to revise stipends at par with other states and to address the broader concerns raised by the doctors.

The government has not yet issued a formal response to the latest protest. Earlier attempts at dialogue have not yielded a breakthrough, with the doctors insisting that their demands be met in full. The indefinite strike continues to be a test of endurance for both the medical community and the state administration.

As the agitation enters its second week, the doctors have vowed to sustain their protest until their demands are addressed. They have called on the public to understand the legitimacy of their cause, emphasising that their fight is not against the system but for better healthcare delivery.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments are awaited. The junior doctors have expressed hope that the government will take their concerns seriously and initiate meaningful discussions to resolve the impasse.