27-06-2025
Telangana junior doctors to launch indefinite strike from June 30
The Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), representing doctors across all 34 government medical colleges in the State, has announced an indefinite Statewide strike beginning June 30, citing unresolved issues related to stipends, infrastructure, and working conditions.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Medical Education, Dr A. Narendra Kumar, the association stated that despite repeated representations since November 2024, their concerns have remained unaddressed.
'Junior doctors in Telangana, the backbone of the State's government hospitals, are stretched to their limits, often working more than 36 hours at a stretch under immense physical and mental strain without receiving what is rightfully due,' the letter said.
The key concerns raised by the junior doctors are:
Delayed stipend disbursement: Stipends for postgraduates, house surgeons, and especially senior residents have reportedly been delayed by over three months. The association has demanded the creation of a Green Channel mechanism to ensure stipend disbursement by the 10th of every month. Non-implementation of stipend hike ( Although the government issued a Government Order (GO) revising stipends effective from January 2025, the hike remains unimplemented. TJUDA is demanding an immediate implementation and disbursement of arrears from January. Inadequate infrastructure in medical colleges: The association cited the lack of basic facilities like incomplete or unopened buildings (in Nagarkurnool and Siddipet), inadequate water supply and transportation (Bhadrachalam-Kothagudem), and poor sports infrastructure (Nizamabad's lack of a playground for 12 years). They highlighted the need to include student representatives in all infrastructure review committees. Faculty shortages: TJUDA flagged the acute shortage of clinical and para-clinical teaching faculty, which they say is severely affecting both undergraduate and postgraduate education. They are calling for a regular, annual recruitment calendar and immediate hiring to meet National Medical Commission (NMC) norms. Stipend irregularities in private medical colleges: The association has also demanded government action to address violations of stipend regulations in private medical institutions, urging strict monitoring and compliance. Delayed scholarships and fee reimbursements: Students from minority, SC, ST, and BC categories are reportedly being forced to pay out-of-pocket due to delays or denial of scholarship and fee reimbursement. 'Not a single student has received full reimbursement of academic fees to date,' the letter noted.
'All undergraduates, postgraduates, house surgeons, and senior residents will participate in this strike until our genuine demands are fully met,' TJUDA stated.
