AP Junior Doctors call off strike after High Court intervention

Vijayawada: Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh called off their strike on Tuesday following the intervention of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, bringing an end to a protest that had disrupted medical services at government hospitals across the State for several days.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that as part of their ongoing protest, the Junior Doctors Association (JUDA), representing junior doctors, medical students, and interns, staged a beach rally in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday as their agitation entered its 10th day over demands for a stipend hike, an increase in retirement age and recruitment norms.

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Welcoming the decision, the High Court appreciated the junior doctors for upholding the dignity of the medical profession and stressed that while doctors have every right to voice their grievances, staying away from duty cannot be justified when patients depend on them for essential medical care.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed over the strike. The Bench observed that the medical profession is a noble one and that the presence of a doctor itself gives confidence to patients.

At the same time, the court acknowledged the grievances of the junior doctors and their perception that their demands had not been adequately addressed. However, it pointed out that the strike had caused hardship to patients and potentially put lives at risk.

The court advised the doctors to adopt alternative forms of protest that would not disrupt medical services. It also directed the State government to take a decision within two weeks on their legitimate demands, particularly the revision of stipends.

The PIL was filed by social activist Guduri Venkata Ratna Kumar of Singarayakonda in Prakasam district, who alleged that emergency medical services had been affected since August 17.

According to TNIE, during the hearing, Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas informed the court that the government had constituted a committee to discuss the stipend issue. He stated that the government had agreed to increase the stipend by 10% for house surgeons, and 3% each for PG residents and super-speciality doctors, whereas junior doctors were demanding a 15% hike.

Counsel for the junior doctors, Maharshi Reddy, confirmed before the court that the strike would be withdrawn following the intervention. The Bench subsequently directed the government to consider the reasonable demands of the doctors promptly and disposed of the PIL.

In an official statement (Letter-122/2026-27), APJUDA confirmed that all emergency, ICU, outpatient, and clinical services will officially resume from 8 am on Wednesday. It highlighted that their agitation, which began with representations in December 2025 for stipend revisions due from January 1, 2026, had progressed through four failed negotiation rounds on August 10, 11, 15, and 24, reports TNIE.

Following the High Court hearing, APJUDA leaders met Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav, Health Secretary G Veerapandian and the Director of Medical Education at the Secretariat.

The Health Minister reportedly assured the delegation that a high-level committee headed by the Health Secretary would hold formal discussions with APJUDA on August 27 with the aim of reaching an amicable settlement.

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