APJUDA Continues Strike over 30 % Stipend Hike, Other Demands
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors' Association (APJUDA) said the government had offered a three per cent hike against its demand for a 30 per cent increase, which it termed "unacceptable"
Amaravati: Resident doctors in Andhra Pradesh continued their strike on Wednesday, demanding a 30 per cent hike in stipend, besides opposing MSc and PhD recruitments and the proposed enhancement of the retirement age to 65 years.
The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors' Association (APJUDA) said the government had offered a three per cent hike against its demand for a 30 per cent increase, which it termed "unacceptable".
"We are continuing the strike demanding a 30 per cent hike in stipend, while also opposing MSc and PhD recruitments and the proposed enhancement of the retirement age to 65 years," said APJUDA.
The association had announced on Tuesday that Phase 2 of the strike would continue from August 12, with complete withdrawal from all non-emergency services by interns, Junior Residents, postgraduates, super-specialty postgraduates, postgraduates posted under the DRP and in peripheral postings, and Senior Residents across government medical colleges and teaching hospitals in the state.
However, emergency, life-saving and critical care services will continue uninterrupted throughout the day with adequate minimum staff, said APJUDA.
The services include Medical ICU (MICU), Surgical ICU (SICU), Paediatric ICU (PICU), Neonatal ICU (NICU), casualty/emergency services and labour emergency procedures.
APJUDA members are also observing a voluntary relay hunger strike from 9 am to 4 pm from Wednesday. Further changes to the strike phases will be announced in due course, it said.
The association said it would continue pursuing a resolution to its demands and could escalate the agitation if they were not met.
It appealed to the state government to fulfil the "legitimate and long-pending" demands of resident doctors through constructive action to avoid further disruption of routine healthcare services.
