Senior resident doctors in Telangana to launch statewide strike from July 1

Hyderabad: Senior resident doctors across Telangana will launch a statewide strike from July 1, the Telangana Senior Resident Doctors Association said on Sunday. They confirmed they would withdraw from all medical services except emergency care.

The association made clear the protest would continue until their demands were met. They alleged the government had ignored repeated representations regarding pending stipend payments and proposed hikes.

Doctors said they had not received stipends for the past three months, leaving many in financial distress. They also pointed out that government orders on a stipend hike and the extension of residency terms had not been issued for five months.

The strike will involve senior resident doctors working in government medical colleges and hospitals across the state, demanding proper recognition of their services and entitlements.

Meanwhile, the state government has invited junior doctors for talks in an effort to avert another strike. Junior doctors had threatened to launch protests from June 30 over their long-pending issues.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha called representatives of the junior doctors’ association for discussions. Junior doctors have demanded timely payment of stipends by the 10th of every month, along with the resolution of fee reimbursement issues.

Representatives from both junior and senior doctors’ associations were reported to be on their way to Sangareddy for talks with the minister.