The situation so far: Junior doctors throughout Andhra Pradesh, organized by the Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors’ Association, started a phased strike on August 11, 2026. They seek a stipend adjustment pending since January 1, 2026. What began as a scheduled halt to non-urgent care has grown, after several unsuccessful meetings with state officials, into a full stop of emergency services from August 17. This has impacted intensive care units, emergency departments, and delivery rooms in state-run medical colleges and teaching hospitals statewide.
The conflict stems from Government Order No. 287, released by the Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department on December 17, 2009. It calls for a 15% stipend increase for junior doctors every two years, adjusted for inflation. Updates occurred in 2019 and 2024. The adjustment scheduled for January 1, 2026, remained unaddressed after seven months, leading the association to send formal notice in July and warn of action from August 4. Officials requested one week via the Director of Medical Education to consult the Finance Department and Health Secretary, delaying the strike.
