The strike by junior doctors in Telangana seeking a solution to their long-pending problems has finally been resolved. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Government on the 27th of May, issued orders raising the stipend by 15 %. The decision was taken after talks with junior doctors.
The Telangana Government led by K. Chandrshekar Rao, said in a statement that it is raising the stipend for junior doctors after talks with the DME again today. According to the GO, the government approved a 15 per cent increase in stipend. The increased stipend will come into effect from January 1 this year. During this period, the salaries of senior residents will increase from Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,500.
On the 27th of May, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) entered the second day of the strike. The doctors started their indefinite strike from Wednesday, the 26th of May.
During the strike, the junior doctors in Telangana boycotted services including emergency services in government hospitals. According to sources, approximately 4,000 doctors are currently protesting for their demands. The doctors working for the COVID-19 patients were demanding a hike in their salaries. For this, they issued a two week notice to the administration and the State Government on the 11th of May and began an indefinite strike from the 26th of May.
According to sources, the junior doctors wrote to the State Government demanding a 15 % hike in salaries and 10% incentives immediately. They also requested the TRS Government to provide treatment for health workers and their family members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) hospital. The doctors also demanded insurance for medical students in the letter. The letter read, “The ex-gratia of 50 lakh for doctors and 25 lakh for nurses and supporting staff that was announced has not been implemented so far. We will boycott service if the demands are not met by May 25, 2021.”
The indefinite strike amid increasing COVID-19 cases created panic amongst the public, who are waiting for treatment at hospitals.
However, now with the assurance of the State Government, all the 4,000 doctors who were on strike, resumed their duties.
