Telangana: Brace for major disruptions in healthcare at Government medical colleges

Junior and senior doctors across Telangana’s 34 government teaching hospitals will begin an indefinite strike from July 1, citing unpaid stipends, poor infrastructure, and harsh working conditions. The protests threaten to disrupt healthcare services and medical education across the State

Hyderabad: Healthcare services and medical education at 34 State-run teaching hospitals in Telangana are expected to take a hit with junior doctors set to launch an indefinite state-wide medical strike from Monday.

The strike call received a boost with senior residents from the State’s teaching hospitals on Sunday announcing that they will launch a Statewide indefinite strike from July 1.

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Citing disappointment over continued neglect of their demands, Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association (TSRDA) said they do not have any choice but to launch an indefinite strike.

On their part, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) said despite follow-ups and personal meetings, including two meetings with Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha, major issues remained unresolved.

“Providing timely stipends, proper infrastructure and a dignified working environment is not a privilege, but a responsibility of the State government. The junior doctors continue to work under immense physical and mental strain, often more than 36 hours at a stretch, without receiving what is rightfully due,” the TJUDA said.

Meanwhile, the TSRDA members said they have been facing distress due to non-payment of stipends for the past three months and the tenure of senior residents has so far not been issued yet, they said.