APGDA says 3% annual stipend hike for junior doctors an insult to medical fraternity
The junior doctors’ demand for rising the biannual stipend from 15% to 30% is genuine and valid, it says
The State government is under pressure to raise the stipend of junior doctors by 15% twice annually, but the delay has sparked protests from medical professionals. Dr. Jayadheer Babu, president of the A.P. Government Doctors’ Association (APGDA), accused the government of attempting to paint the striking doctors in a negative light.
He emphasized that the Health Department's proposed annual 3% increase is insulting to the entire medical fraternity. The junior doctors have been awaiting the hike since January, demanding it to be raised to 30% from the current biannual 15%. The APJUDA treasurer, Ranjeet Dhabable, highlighted the rising inflation, increasing rents, and increased workload, pointing out that inflation in Andhra Pradesh is higher than the national average.
APJUDA also noted that interns, junior residents, super-speciality post-graduates, and senior residents are working up to 36 hours continuously during night shifts. The third day of the strike saw the withdrawal of non-emergency services in government teaching hospitals, with some doctors participating in a hunger strike.
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