Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Strike Disrupts Patient Care
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh are on strike.
They stopped regular hospital work and later stopped working in emergency departments too.
This has made it harder for patients to get treatment at government hospitals.
Some patients are waiting several hours to see doctors.
Nurses are helping with some basic care, such as medicines and dressing wounds.
The doctors are asking the government to increase their stipends.
The government says it is arranging other ways to care for patients.
However, talks between the government and the doctors have not started.
The strike is continuing in several parts of the state.
Junior doctors at major government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh have boycotted regular services for nearly 10 days and emergency services since August 18.
Patients, especially in General Surgery and Orthopaedics, are facing long queues and outpatient waits of four to five hours.
Casualty wards in Tirupati, Nellore and Kadapa have reported more injured patients, with nurses sometimes administering medicines and dressing wounds.
Junior doctors held rallies and protests in Kurnool, Kadapa, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Nellore, including a bike rally that disrupted traffic in Kurnool.
The government says it is making alternative arrangements, while doctors say they will continue striking until their demand for a higher stipend is addressed.
- Who
- Junior doctors, patients, the Andhra Pradesh government and hospital medical staff.
- What
- Junior doctors are striking over a demand for increased stipends and have boycotted regular and emergency services.
- When
- Regular services had been suspended for nearly 10 days, and emergency services were boycotted from Tuesday, August 18; rallies occurred on Wednesday.
- Where
- Major government hospitals across Andhra Pradesh, including those in Kurnool, Kadapa, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Nellore.
- Why
- The junior doctors want the government to increase their stipend.
Junior Doctors’ Position
Government Position
Reason for the strike
Junior Doctors’ Position
Junior doctors say a higher stipend is their key demand and that they will continue the agitation until the government makes a positive decision.
Government Position
The government has not yet invited the striking doctors for talks and says it will decide when to do so based on government directions.
Effect on patients
Junior Doctors’ Position
The doctors are continuing their agitation despite the disruption to hospital services.
Government Position
The Director of Medical Education says the state is making alternative arrangements so patients do not face difficulties.
- State
- Andhra Pradesh
- Strike scope
- Regular services were suspended for nearly 10 days; emergency services were later boycotted.
- Emergency boycott
- Began Tuesday, August 18.
- Patient waiting time
- Four to five hours for some outpatient consultations.
- Most affected departments
- General Surgery and Orthopaedics.
- Government response
- Alternative arrangements are being made to reduce the strike’s impact.
- Doctors’ demand
- An increase in stipend.