Delay in Stipend Disbursement: Telangana Junior Doctors continue strike, medical services hit

Hyderabad: A day after an indefinite strike was started by approximately 7,000 junior doctors led by the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) from 20 medical colleges across the state, the outpatient department (OPD) services at major tertiary hospitals including Gandhi Hospital and Osmania General Hospital (OGH) experience a setback.   

The strike of the junior doctors has now reached its second day as they continue to demand the establishment of a green channel for timely stipend disbursement, inadequate honorarium for Super Specialty Senior Residents, 15 per cent reservation in NEET UG Prospectus, deployment of security forces in government hospitals, improved hostel facilities, new OGH building, basic infrastructure at medical colleges, roads in Kakatiya Medical College. 

As part of their protest, they have collectively decided to boycott outpatient (OPD) services, elective surgeries, and ward duties. As a result, the major tertiary hospitals are facing extreme pressure. 

Also read- 7000 Telangana Junior Doctors On Strike Demanding Timely Stipend Disbursement

On Monday, both OGH and Gandhi Hospital faced more than regular footfall of outpatients. As per a TOI news report, several patients who visited OGH faced delays in OPD consultation. They sat throughout the OP timings without being able to get medical attention. When they did not receive any medical attention, the patients and their attendants had no option but to leave the hospital.  

A patient from Shankarampet village in Medak, who came for consultation regarding constant leg pain to OGH told TOI, “I reached here early in the day but even at 12 pm when the OP time ended, I could not consult a doctor. This is a chaotic situation, whatever the issues are of these doctors must be resolved because without them we can’t survive.”

Apart from the OP services, pre-surgery anaesthesia checkups were also not available for many, leading to the cancellation of several surgeries. Ultrasound checkups, lab investigations and radiology services also were impacted due to the ongoing strike as these services are largely handled by junior doctors.

Although OGH was significantly affected, Gandhi Hospital experienced a lesser degree of suffering in comparison. Officials at Gandhi Hospital held an emergency meeting to deal with the situation calling in all heads of departments, resident medical officers, medical officers on duty and other staff to ensure patient care was not affected.

“All the leaves of faculty members have been cancelled and alternate duty rosters of faculty were asked to be prepared and submitted. Also, inspection duties of professors and HODs to various colleges and hospitals have been cancelled and attendance of faculty members are being monitored,” said Dr M Raja Rao, superintendent of Gandhi Hospital.

Meanwhile, the protesting junior doctors have decided to continue with their strike as they have not obtained any firm assurances regarding their demands following a meeting with Health Minister Damodar Rama Narasimha and later with the Director of Medical Education (DME) on Monday. 

Speaking to Hands India, Dr Sai Sri Harsha, the president of the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) said, “Every month, we go to the finance department for the release of stipends. Andhra Pradesh has a green channel. We want the same here."

One of the junior doctors said, “We are roaming for ten days for a stipend of one month. We will not stop until a GO is released officially. They promised to send it within ten days of every month, but so far no such measures have been taken."

Medical Dialogues team yesterday reported that the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA) commenced their scheduled indefinite strike on June 24, 2024. Approximately 7,000 junior doctors from 20 medical colleges across the state participated in this strike, advocating for their longstanding demands. 

Boycotting outpatient (OPD) services, elective surgeries and ward duties, the junior doctors demanded a solution to their unresolved issues concerning the doctors, including the establishment of a green channel for timely stipend disbursement and inadequate honorarium for Super Specialty Senior Residents as primary grievances.

Holding placards and chanting slogans, the junior doctors organised their protest at the Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad and many other medical colleges including Kakatiya Medical College, Nizamabad Medical College, Nalgonda Medical College and many more as part of the indefinite statewide strike.

"On strike for better care", "We are here to serve not to suffer", "Hands that heal should not bleed", "No service without security " are some of the many phrases in the placards used by the doctors in the protest.

Also read- Telangana Junior Doctors Announce Indefinite Strike Over Delay In Stipend Disbursement