Vijayawada: Medicos, parents on hunger strike over stipends, infra
Medical students and their parents staged a relay hunger strike at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada on Sunday, demanding a series of reforms in government medical colleges across the State. The protest, organised by the NEET Parents Association, highlighted issues ranging from inadequate stipends to excessive working hours for interns.
The demonstrators called for an increase in the number of seats in government medical colleges, aligning with the norms prescribed by the National Medical Commission (NMC). They argued that the current seat capacity is insufficient to meet the demand for affordable medical education, forcing many students to seek costly private institutions.
Another key demand was the immediate reduction of the 36-hour continuous workload imposed on undergraduate and postgraduate students undergoing internships. The protesters said such long duty hours are detrimental to the health and learning outcomes of trainee doctors, and called for a more reasonable schedule that allows adequate rest and study time.
The association members also urged the State government to provide adequate infrastructure in medical colleges and improve overall educational standards. They pointed out that many colleges lack essential facilities, which compromises the quality of training and patient care.
On the issue of stipends, the protesters demanded an increase in the monthly allowance for interns, citing the rising prices of essential commodities. They said the current stipend is insufficient to meet basic living expenses, forcing students to depend on family support.
The protest drew support from the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and the All India Youth Federation (AIYF). Representatives of these organisations expressed solidarity with the medical students and urged the State government to take immediate steps to address the grievances. They also called for strict action against ragging and measures to prevent student suicides, which remain a serious concern in medical colleges.
Relay hunger strikes, where participants take turns fasting to ensure the protest continues without interruption, are a common form of non-violent demonstration in India. The choice of Dharna Chowk, a designated protest site in Vijayawada, underscores the persistence of the movement.
The NEET Parents Association has been actively raising concerns about medical education policies, particularly around admissions, fees, and student welfare. Sunday’s protest is part of a broader campaign to push for systemic changes in the medical education sector, which has witnessed growing unrest over working conditions and infrastructure gaps.
The State government has yet to respond to the demands. The protesters have indicated that they will continue their agitation until a satisfactory resolution is reached.
