Andhra Pradesh junior doctors end strike following High Court intervention

Junior doctors in Andhra Pradesh have temporarily withdrawn their strike following an intervention by the High Court. The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) stated the decision was made to prioritize patient welfare and ensure the continuity of medical services.

The High Court, led by Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice Challa Gunaranjan, directed the state government to resolve the doctors' grievances, particularly regarding stipend revisions, within two weeks. While the court acknowledged the doctors' right to express grievances, it noted that disrupting essential medical care could put lives at risk.

The primary demands of the doctors include an increase in stipends and opposition to proposals to raise the retirement age. Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav announced that the government is reviewing stipend structures used in other states and has proposed a 10% increase for interns and a 3% annual increase for others.

Political tensions have also emerged, with Minister Yadav criticizing former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for his stance on the stipend issue, accusing the previous administration of setting precedents that complicate current negotiations.