Medical services in government-run hospitals across Madhya Pradesh faced disruptions on Monday due to a protest by junior doctors and medical staff demanding the revision of stipends. The protest, organized by the Junior Doctors Association (JUDA), impacted outpatient department (OPD) services in various hospitals, leading to patients being unable to receive consultations or necessary medications. Specialized services like Prevention of Parent-To-Child Transmission (PPTCT) counseling and testing were also affected, along with facilities in the gynecology department of Gandhi Medical College.
The strike not only impacted OPD services at Gandhi Medical College but also in hospitals across different districts like Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, and Gwalior. Despite this, emergency services for critically ill patients and those already admitted to government hospitals continued as usual. A delegation from the Junior Doctors Association is set to meet with Rajendra Shukla, responsible for the state’s health and medical education departments, to address the issue during his visit to Jabalpur.
According to JUDA, the stipend revision based on CPI was supposed to be enforced from April 1, 2025, as per a government order. However, the revision has not been implemented despite multiple representations. Nearly 8,000 resident doctors, senior residents, and interns are participating in the strike, highlighting the crucial role they play in medical colleges by handling a significant portion of patient care.
