JUDA-led agitation affects OPD and elective services across government medical colleges as doctors demand implementation of CPI-based stipend hike
Bhopal: Nearly 8,000 junior resident doctors, senior residents and interns across Madhya Pradesh have launched a statewide protest demanding the implementation of a pending stipend revision. The agitation has significantly affected medical services at government-run hospitals in several cities.
The protest has been called by the Junior Doctors Association (JUDA), which said that the stipend revision linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was supposed to be implemented from April 1, 2025, in accordance with a state government order. However, the revised stipend has not yet been enforced despite repeated representations to the authorities.
Meeting With Health Minister Expected
According to sources, a delegation from JUDA is expected to meet Rajendra Shukla, who oversees the state’s health and medical education departments, during his visit to Jabalpur to discuss the issue.
Doctors say junior residents, senior residents and interns form the backbone of medical colleges and handle nearly 70 per cent of the workload, including treating and monitoring a large number of patients.
Doctors Cite 2021 Government Order
Dr Brijendra, a resident doctor at Gandhi Medical College, said the stipend revision was mandated under a state government order issued on June 7, 2021.
He said that several letters had been sent to the deans and Heads of Departments of medical colleges across the state demanding implementation of the revision.
However, the doctors clarified that emergency services would continue to ensure that critically ill patients do not face inconvenience.
Issue Linked to 2021 Doctors’ Strike
The dispute traces back to commitments made after the doctors’ strike in 2021. At that time, the stipend for junior doctors was Rs 55,000 per month. Following protests, the government increased it to Rs 65,000 and promised that stipends would be revised annually in April based on the Consumer Price Index.
Despite this assurance, the revision due in April 2025 has not been implemented.
After waiting nearly a year and repeatedly writing to the authorities, doctors said they were left with no option but to launch a protest.
Emergency Services Continue, OPD Boycotted
Under the strike plan, doctors will continue emergency services and treat critically ill patients. However, they have decided to boycott elective services, including outpatient departments (OPD) and routine surgeries.
The protest has already disrupted OPD services in several hospitals, forcing many patients to return without consultation or medication.
Government Given Four-Day Deadline
Dr Shubanshu Sharma, Vice President of JUDA, said the association recently met Rajendra Shukla, who assured them that their demands would be addressed within three to four days.
Following the meeting and intervention by the Health Commissioner, the doctors decided to give the government four days to take a decision. During this period, they will continue their protest by wearing black bands.
“If no decision is taken within four days, we will launch a full-fledged strike and shut down services,” Dr Sharma said.
Protest Spreads Across Medical Colleges
Dr Yashveer Gurjar, Vice President of JUDA Bhopal, said the protest has strong support from government medical colleges across the state.
Hospitals in cities including Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Sagar, and Khandwa have joined the agitation.
Specialised Services Also Affected
The strike has affected several specialised services at Gandhi Medical College, including the Prevention of Parent-To-Child Transmission (PPTCT) counselling and testing centre, fertility clinic, antenatal care (ANC) room and other gynaecology services.
In addition, OPD services have been hit in multiple district hospitals and medical colleges, including those in Gwalior, leaving many patients struggling to access routine healthcare.
Doctors have warned that if the government fails to address their demands soon, the agitation could escalate into a full-scale strike across medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh.
