VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) has strongly objected to the unilateral press note released by the Andhra Pradesh government on August 19, 2026.
While welcoming the principle of establishing an annual stipend revision mechanism, APJUDA stated that the figures, percentages, and comparisons presented by the government do not reflect ground realities. Furthermore, the association noted that ignoring core academic and medical education demands raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to resolving the issues holistically.
Addressing the financial aspect, APJUDA highlighted that the proposed 5% baseline hike for interns and 3% annual increment for Postgraduates (PGs) and Super-Speciality Residents effectively constitutes a pay cut when measured against AP’s ~10% state-level inflation.
Consequently, the association is demanding a 20% base fitment correction for 2026, followed by an annual revision formula tied to CPI inflation plus 3% real growth.
APJUDA also countered comparisons between PG stipends and Assistant Professor salaries, clarifying that a 20% hike would raise first-year PG stipends to Rs 72,988—far below the Rs 90,000 to Rs 1,00,000+ earned by permanent faculty.
They emphasised that their demands represent a mere 0.6% of the State’s Rs 19,264 crore healthcare budget for 2026–27, a modest investment given that junior doctors generate substantial claim reimbursements through schemes like Dr NTR Vaidya Seva and Ayushman Bharat.
Additionally, they urged strict enforcement of the National Medical Commission (NMC) 15% ceiling on non-medical (MSc/PhD) faculty appointments in pre-clinical and para-clinical departments, which currently stand at 27%–30% in the state, while insisting on a total ban on non-medical personnel handling clinical teaching or duties.
APJUDA also called immediate attention to the grievances of Senior Residents, who form an integral part of the association. Serving their mandatory bond period split across DME and DSH facilities, Senior Residents face severe hardship due to vast geographical distances, lack of accommodation or allowances in remote areas, and unrevised stipends.
Following a press conference led by State leaders — including president Dr Eshwar Shankar, general secretaries Dr Lukhman Ali, Dr Dinakar Srinivas, and Dr Ravi Teja Naik, alongside vice presidents Dr Jogi Kamal and Dr Bhargav Sai Naidu — APJUDA issued a two-day ultimatum to the government.
If high-level talks are not convened to deliver a comprehensive Government Order addressing their core demands, the association affirmed it will escalate its democratic movement to the next phase.
