AP Healthcare Crisis Deepens As PHC Doctors’ Strike Intensifies
The deadlock continues despite the state government holding talks with the striking doctors on Friday.
Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh’s healthcare services are set to face a severe blow as doctors from the directorate of secondary health are joining the agitating Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors from Saturday. The strike, which began on October 1 with PHC doctors withdrawing from duties, is now escalating with more doctors across health institutions joining in.
The deadlock continues despite the state government holding talks with the striking doctors on Friday. The issue centres around the in-service quota for postgraduate (PG) medical admissions. PHC doctors are demanding continuation of a 20 per cent in-service quota in all clinical subjects for the 2025-26 academic year, as was implemented last year. However, the government is firm on reducing the quota to 15 per cent and restricting it only for the current academic year.
According to the PHC doctors, reducing the quota to 15 per cent would leave them with only 198 PG seats, whereas a 20 per cent quota would ensure 258 seats. With a higher number of eligible candidates, they argue that the government should continue the 20 per cent quota this year and implement the 15 per cent quota from the next academic year for three consecutive years.
Andhra Pradesh PHC Doctors’ Association president Dr. Ravindra Naik said, “We were called for talks with the top brass of the health department on Friday, but they remained inconclusive. The authorities are insisting on accepting only a 15 per cent quota for this year, which is not acceptable as many of our doctors will lose the opportunity to pursue PG courses.”
The strike has already begun to take a heavy toll on patients, particularly in rural and tribal areas. With PHC doctors absent, people are left without access to affordable primary healthcare. Many cannot afford to travel to semi-urban or urban hospitals, leaving them vulnerable to untreated illnesses. Doctors continued their protest demonstrations in front of district medical and health offices and other centres across the state.
The crisis is expected to deepen further with doctors from community health centres, area hospitals, and district hospitals also joining the stir. The disruption not only hampers basic treatment but also stalls the implementation of several health schemes, affecting women, children, and the general public. Health experts warn that patients may even resort to quacks, putting themselves at greater risk.
