Andhra Pradesh govt. and striking doctors refuse to budge on stipend issue

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As the junior doctors, interns and super-speciality doctors’ strike continued for the 10 day on Wednesday, August 19, the State government remained steadfast in its stance that a biannual stipend hike of 15% was not possible, given the financial situation of the State.

According to a release from the Health Department, the subject was discussed in the recent Cabinet meeting, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu stressed the need for explaining to the protesting doctors about the financial constraints.

The officials, once again, iterated that instead of a biannual stipend hike of 15%, there would be an annual hike of 5% for interns this year and 3% later on. For junior doctors and superspeciality doctors, the government proposed a uniform annual hike of 3%.

While the government appeals to the doctors to be back on their duties, the A.P. Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA) decided to continue the strike.

“The financial situation of the State was bad in 2020 and 2022 as well, due to the pandemic. But we received the biannual hike of 15%. This time, our protest is not just about the timely implementation of the hike, it is also about increasing the hike to 30%,” D. Ranjeet, APJUDA treasurer, said.

While a meeting was under way at present, the APJUDA decided to continue with the withdrawal of the emergency and non-emergency services in the government teaching hospitals across the State till the government concedes to their demands.

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