Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said the coalition government remains determined to resolve the demands of PHC doctors.
Published Oct 16, 2025 | 2:07 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2025 | 2:07 PM
PHC doctors protest on 16 October.
Synopsis: The relay hunger strike of Primary Health Centre doctors in Andhra Pradesh entered its 12th day in Vijayawada after the government did not budge to their demand for an increase in the in-service postgraduate medical quota. The doctors are also seeking tribal and notional incentive allowances and time-bound promotions.
The relay hunger strike of Andhra Pradesh Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors in Vijayawada entered its 12th day on Thursday, 16 October, despite the government’s offer to increase the in-service postgraduate medical quota to 20 percent for the current year.
The strike coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Andhra Pradesh, where he will be laying projects worth ₹13,000 crore.
The PHC doctors are demanding a 20 percent in-service PG quota to be continued until 2030. While the government has offered 20 percent for this year, it said it would be 15 percent for the following three years.
Parents and family members joined the protesting doctors, expressing solidarity as several doctors showed signs of fatigue and low blood pressure.
“We work to protect public health, and now we are fighting for our own rights. This is not a protest against anyone, it’s a struggle for what we deserve,” said Dr Vinod Kumar.
Beyond the quota dispute, the doctors are also seeking tribal and notional incentive allowances and time-bound promotions. Over 2,800 PHC doctors serve in rural and tribal areas across the state.
Dr Vinod Kumar confirmed that talks between the doctors and the government have stalled. “Since the last round of talks, there hasn’t been any progress. The last time we spoke to the DPH (Directorate of Public Health and Family Welfare) was about four or five days ago,” he told South First.
He explained the gap in positions: “From their side, the communication was that the government would agree to a 20 percent in-service quota for this year and 15 percent for the next three years. But we had requested 20 percent for this year and next year as well, followed by 15 percent each for the next two years.”
Dr Vinod Kumar added that officials remain occupied with arrangements for the prime minister’s visit. “Right now, since there’s a Prime Minister’s visit, most officials, including the Commissioner, are busy with arrangements.”
The doctors originally asked for 20 percent for five years. “The government has brought it down to 20 percent for this year and 15 percent for the next three years. But now they’re backtracking, saying they’ll give only 20 percent this year,” he said.
The strike has affected 1,142 PHCs across the state, impacting approximately 1,00,000 patients daily. Services at 10,051 Health and Wellness Clinics have also been disrupted, as they cannot function independently without PHC medical officers.
Patients have sent videos to the protesting doctors expressing concern about disrupted services. “Parents and family members are sharing clips of their children missing their doctors, asking why the government isn’t resolving the issue,” Dr Vinod Kumar said.
“Some patients have also shared videos saying they didn’t receive proper care. They’re asking when we’ll return to duty and what’s holding things up,” he added.
On 9 October, services under the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan were disrupted. “It’s supposed to be the day when free check-ups, screenings, and treatments are offered, but without doctors, that didn’t happen properly. Patients were just examined and sent away without specialist consultation,” Dr Vinod Kumar explained.
“Some of them told us they can’t travel every time, but once a month is manageable for them. Many are requesting that we visit their villages once we resume duties. We’ve assured them that once we return, we’ll conduct special PMSMA rounds in their areas,” he said.
Dr Gnanesh, State Executive Secretary of the PHC doctors association, appealed: “We serve in remote areas for the sake of the people. We request the government to consider our demands positively and act immediately.”
Citizens, associations, students, and other employee unions have extended support to the movement.
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Veerapandian announced on 6 October that the government agreed to allocate 20 percent of PG medical seats under the in-service quota this year, covering all clinical departments.
“After reviewing the matter with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, and the Chief Secretary, the government decided to increase the in-service quota from 15 percent to 20 percent. Orders will be issued accordingly. Doctors should now resume duties,” Veerapandian told the association leaders during talks at the Directorate of Public Health office in Vijayawada.
However, when doctors insisted that the 20 percent quota must continue until 2030, the commissioner said the government could not commit to this. The association rejected the decision and announced it would continue the protest.
Veerapandian criticised the doctors for rejecting the government’s decision, calling it “unreasonable”. “The government took this decision after examining all aspects. A comprehensive study on the continuation of the quota will be completed soon, and a policy decision will be made next month,” he said.
He emphasised that providing healthcare services to patients must come first. “Patient care must remain the priority,” Veerapandian said.
To ensure continuity of healthcare, the Medical and Health Department deployed MBBS doctors from teaching hospitals, social health centres, area hospitals, and district hospitals to PHCs. Orders were issued for the deployment of doctors from a pool of 1,014 PG students, senior residents, and MBBS tutors in teaching hospitals, along with 1,017 MBBS doctors working in other facilities.
The Health Department imposed measures prohibiting other PHC staff from taking leave and directing Community Health Officers to remain at Health & Wellness Centres. Additionally, 108 ambulance staff were instructed to coordinate with local hospitals.
Veerapandian pointed out that between November 2024 and November 2027, around 1,089 PG doctors would return to service and join as specialists in district, regional, and teaching hospitals. “There won’t be enough vacancies for new in-service candidates. Hence, further discussions on how the quota should continue require time,” he added.
Despite the government’s decision to extend the quota to all specialities and raise it to 20 percent, he said “The doctors’ attitude hasn’t changed”.
An expert committee’s study showed that for 2025–26, there are 100 Assistant Professor posts in teaching hospitals and only three under the Directorate of Secondary Health, totalling 103 posts.
Under the earlier 15 percent quota, 196 doctors would have benefited, but with the increase to 20 percent, the number rises to 258.
“The government is ensuring continuous recruitment to maintain zero vacancies. The in-service quota should correspond to the number of posts available,” Veerapandian said, referring to the expert committee’s recommendation.
He warned that expanding the in-service quota reduces opportunities for direct PG medical aspirants who wish to serve in government hospitals.
The commissioner clarified that the government has formed a special committee to review demands related to time-bound promotions, tribal allowances, and notional increments.
Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said the coalition government remains determined to resolve the demands of PHC doctors.
He held an emergency meeting with Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Veerapandian, Public Health Director Dr Padmavati, Medical Education Director Dr Raghunandan, and other officials at his camp office in Mangalagiri on Saturday night.
“PHC doctors should join duty immediately. The government is determined to act positively and sympathetically to resolve the in-service quota and job service demands. We have already formed a special committee to discuss time-bound promotions, tribal allowances, and notional increments and make recommendations to the government,” Satyakumar Yadav informed the doctors.
Officials explained to the minister that according to current statistics, 327 people will join the PG (PHC doctors) who are already studying in November this year, 450 in November 2026, and 312 in November 2027. They noted that vacant posts are being filled from time to time under the zero vacancy system.
Despite the government’s assurances and the increase to 20 per cent quota for the current year, the doctors maintained their position that they will call off the agitation only if the quota is guaranteed until 2030—a commitment the government says it cannot make at this time.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
