Andhra Pradesh talks with junior doctors stall as walkout continues
Negotiations between the Andhra Pradesh government and junior doctors have hit a wall, leaving their stipend hike dispute unresolved.
Monday's meeting ended without progress, marking the 15th day since junior doctors walked off the job after reducing their demand from a 30% hike to a 20% hike.
Government offers interns 5% doctors 3%
The government offered MBBS interns a 5% hike (so a total of 10%), but kept junior doctors and senior residents at just 3%.
APJUDA pushed back, saying this offer was actually less than the existing stipend model from a 15% increase every two years to a 3% annual hike.
They'd already lowered their ask from 30% to 20%, but officials say budget limits make it tough.
Junior doctors strike keeps patients waiting
With the doctors continuing their strike on the 15th day, talks haven't broken the impasse, so patients and staff are left waiting.