Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh junior doctors staged a beach rally on Wednesday as their statewide strike entered its 10th day, demanding that the state government respond to their long-pending demands. The protest was held amid growing frustration among doctors over what they described as a lack of meaningful communication from the government.
The agitation has escalated in recent days. Emergency services at government medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh have remained suspended since Monday, with junior doctors saying they were forced to intensify their protest after their demands failed to receive a satisfactory response.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) is primarily seeking a revision of stipends. The doctors initially demanded a 30 per cent increase, while later insisting that at least the 15 per cent revision provided under Government Order 287 be implemented. According to the association, the revision has remained pending for several months.
The doctors have also opposed a proposal to increase the retirement age of senior doctors from 62 to 65 years. Another major demand is the recruitment of MSc and PhD candidates as assistant professors in accordance with National Medical Commission norms.
During Wednesday’s beach rally, protesting doctors said their objective was to make the government hear their concerns and initiate dialogue. They stressed that the movement was not politically motivated but was focused on issues affecting doctors and medical education.
A protesting doctor said the strike had reached its 10th day, while emergency services had been affected for three days. The doctors warned that the agitation could be intensified if the government continued to remain unresponsive.
The dispute has already raised concerns over healthcare services in government hospitals. During the escalation, senior faculty members and assistant surgeons were assigned to critical areas to manage essential services while junior doctors stayed away from emergency duties.
The junior doctors have urged the Andhra Pradesh government to address their demands and begin formal discussions to find a solution. With the strike continuing, pressure is now mounting on the authorities to engage with APJUDA and prevent further disruption to medical services across the state.
