1 week ago
Andhra Pradesh Doctors’ Stipend Hike Dispute Disrupts Government Hospitals
Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh are asking for a bigger increase in their stipends.
The government says a large, regular increase is difficult because the state has limited money.
A 2022 memo suggested using the central government’s annual dearness allowance as the basis for future increases.
However, the government gave doctors another 15% increase in 2024 after a strike.
Officials later proposed smaller increases, including up to 5% for interns and 3% annually for several groups.
The doctors continued protesting and stopped providing even emergency services at some government hospitals.
This slowed treatment for patients.
The government and doctors are still discussing a possible compromise of about 7% to 10% for interns.
A 2022 health department memo proposed ending the 15% biennial stipend increase for junior doctors.
The government nevertheless approved another 15% increase through an August 9, 2024 order after a doctors’ strike.
Officials recently proposed up to a 5% increase for interns and annual 3% increases for interns, postgraduate and super-specialty students.
Junior doctors escalated their strike by boycotting emergency services from August 17, affecting care at 18 government hospitals with medical colleges.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association is seeking a 20% base stipend revision for 2026 and changes involving faculty eligibility and retirement age.
- Who
- The Andhra Pradesh government, junior doctors and the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association are involved.
- What
- They are disputing stipend increases, while the doctors are also demanding changes to faculty eligibility rules and the proposed retirement age for medical faculty.
- Where
- The dispute affects government hospitals with attached medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- A 2022 memo addressed the issue; a 15% increase was approved on August 9, 2024, and emergency-service boycotts began on August 17.
- Why
- The government cites the state’s tight financial position and wants increases based on objective measures, while junior doctors seek a larger stipend revision and other policy changes.
Government position
Junior doctors’ position
Size and basis of stipend increases
Government position
The government says a 15% increase is excessive and has proposed smaller increases linked to financial constraints and more objective considerations, including the central government’s annual dearness allowance.
Junior doctors’ position
Junior doctors are seeking a larger stipend revision; APJUDA has demanded a 20% base stipend revision for 2026, while sources said many doctors may accept about 10%.
Strike and patient care
Government position
Medical Education Director Vishnu Vardhan Reddy said the ongoing stir is slowing healthcare delivery and appealed to doctors to resume duty to avoid trouble for patients.
Junior doctors’ position
Junior doctors intensified their protest by boycotting emergency services from August 17 while pressing their stipend and other demands.
Other medical-education policies
Government position
The government is considering or proposing changes involving faculty intake and the superannuation age of medical faculty.
Junior doctors’ position
APJUDA demands compliance with National Medical Commission norms for faculty qualified through MSc and PhD programs and withdrawal of the proposed increase in the faculty retirement age.
Key facts
- 2022 memo
- It said a 15% increase was excessive compared with annual increases of 3% in Tamil Nadu and 4% in Kerala.
- 2024 stipend order
- GO-Rt-515, dated August 9, 2024, approved another 15% increase effective January 1, 2024.
- Government proposal
- Up to 5% for interns in the current academic year and annual 3% increases for interns, postgraduate and super-specialty students.
- Potential compromise
- Sources said discussions could produce an increase of about 7% to 10% for interns.
- Affected hospitals
- Healthcare services were affected at all 18 government hospitals with attached medical colleges.
- Reported activity
- On one Friday, hospitals recorded 19,976 outpatient registrations, 973 admissions, 850 surgeries and 60 deliveries between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Doctors’ demands
- APJUDA seeks a 20% base stipend revision for 2026, compliance with National Medical Commission faculty-intake norms and withdrawal of a proposed increase in medical faculty’s retirement age.
Quotes
Dr Vishnu Vardhan Reddy
Andhra Pradesh director of medical education
“Ongoing stir by the junior doctors is slowing down the healthcare delivery system. We appeal to the agitating junior doctors to resume duty and avoid any trouble to the patients.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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