Emergency services come to a halt in Govt Medical Colleges

AP Junior Doctors intensify protest over stipend hike

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Healthcare services across Andhra Pradesh faced disruption on Monday as junior doctors intensified their agitation demanding a 15% hike in stipend, with the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) announcing a total boycott of emergency services across government medical colleges and teaching hospitals.

Nearly 9,000 resident doctors, interns, junior residents, postgraduate and super-speciality students, senior residents and doctors under the District Residency Programme are participating in the protest across all 19 government medical colleges. The boycott is affecting critical areas including casualty wards, ICUs and labour rooms. The agitation began on August 11 with withdrawal of non-emergency services and was intensified after APJUDA said the government had failed to provide a written assurance on its long-pending demand. The association is seeking implementation of the 15% biennial stipend revision, citing increased workload, expanding patient services and additional responsibilities in emergency and critical care.

The government, however, has maintained that it is examining the demand in the context of the State’s financial position. Officials said the Finance Department was not inclined to approve a 15% increase at present, while proposing annual increases for interns and postgraduate students. According to government figures, 9,501 MBBS and BDS interns, PG students, super-speciality students, MDS and DNB trainees currently receive stipends, costing the State approximately Rs 586.08 crore annually. A 15% hike would increase the government’s annual expenditure by around Rs 87.91 crore. The government has indicated that a 3% hike for PG junior doctors and 5% for house surgeons and interns is presently under consideration.

APJUDA argues that stipend levels in some neighbouring States are higher, particularly for interns. It is also seeking implementation of National Medical Commission norms for recruitment of MSc and PhD holders into clinical faculty positions and opposing the proposed increase in doctors’ retirement age from 62 to 65.

The government said negotiations have continued since July 17, including another round on August 15, and appealed to doctors to return to duties while discussions continue. Meanwhile, authorities have activated contingency measures to protect patient care. District Collectors, medical college principals and hospital superintendents are reviewing the situation, while additional doctors have been kept on standby. Arrangements have been made to maintain emergency departments, ICUs, maternity services, operation theatres, NICUs, PICUs, dialysis and trauma care, besides ensuring adequate medicines, oxygen, blood and essential supplies.

The government has urged junior doctors to reconsider the emergency-services boycott, stressing that while their stipend concerns merit consideration, continuity of treatment for critically ill patients cannot be compromised.