AP Junior Doctors' Association holds high-level meeting over pending demands
Vijayawada: Following the agitation by the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association (APJUDA), a high-level meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Health and Medical Department Secretary G. Veerapandian to discuss the pending demands of junior doctors, including an increase in stipend, recruitment of non-medical faculty and retirement age.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh called off their strike 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.
In compliance with the directives of the Hon’ble High Court of Andhra Pradesh in WP(PIL)/193/2026, and placing patient care at the forefront, AP JUDA temporarily called off the statewide strike on 26.08.2026, 08:00 AM, after which they had discussions with higher authorities.
A meeting between APJUDA representatives and Director of Medical Education A. Vishnuvardhan, along with other senior officials, was held on 27 August, 2026. Earlier, discussions had also taken place between JUDA representatives, Health Minister Sri Satya Kumar Yadav, the Health Secretary and the Director of Medical Education.
The association was demanding stipend enhancement for interns, postgraduates, SS PGs and senior residents with effect from 01.01.2026, strict adherence to NMC regulations for recruitment of non-medical faculty, and opposing enhancement of retirement age up to 65 years. According to a press release, APJUDA has been giving representations to the Government Officials (DME, Health Secretary and Hon'ble Health Minister) since December 2025 requesting stipend enhancement that was due for 01.01.2026.
Subject to failure to avail written assurances, an official strike notice was issued on 21.07.2026, stating phase-wise strike will be initiated from 04.08.2026. However, due to further pursuance from the DME, the strike was postponed by 1 week, providing further time to the Hon'ble Government to solve our issues. APJUDA initiated a phase-wise strike from 10.08.2026. Phase 0 included attending to all duties with a black badge on 10.08.2026. Phase I included partial withdrawal of OPD and non-emergency services between 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM from 11.08.2026.
Phase II was initiated from 12.08.2026, which included complete withdrawal of all non-emergency services throughout the day. A relay hunger strike was also initiated from 12.08.2026. Subject to no written assurances from the Hon'ble Government, APJUDA has to escalate the strike by completely withdrawing from all services provided by Interns, PGs, SS PGs, and SRs, including Emergency and ICU services, as a part of Phase III from 17.08.2026.
“All discussions failed to arrive at a favorable solution. APJUDA was ready for all negotiations and was ready to step down from the demand of a 30% stipend hike to a 15% stipend hike. A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) was filed by a social activist against the Government and APJUDA as respondents, bearing the case number WP(PIL)/193/2026 on 24.08.2026. The first hearing of the said PIL happened without notice to APJUDA and its representatives. Hon'ble Divisional Bench of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh instructed the petitioner to issue a notice to APJUDA personally,” the association stated.
The High Court further directed the Hon'ble Government of AP to resolve the issue within 2 weeks, and assured APJUDA that it can approach the bench if the demands are not resolved in 2 weeks. After orders from the Hon'ble Divisional Bench of the High Court of AP, APJUDA members met Shri Satya Kumar Yadav, Hon'ble Health, Medicine and Family Welfare Minister, along with the Health Secretary and DME.
Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr M. Ravi Theja Naik, General Secretary of AP JUDA, stated, “We had a discussion, and again we are going to hold talks to ensure that all our demands are fulfilled. We have discussed the retirement age of professors and recruitment of non-clinical doctors, among other issues so far.” JUDA representatives sought a 13% increase, but the government proposed a 10% increase for interns and a 3% increase for PG and super-speciality doctors at present.
