Primary Health Centre (PHC) doctors in Andhra Pradesh initiated a fifth day of strike action on October 4, 2025, to press for several key demands. The PHC Doctors’ Association, through its spokesperson Vinod Kumar, is seeking a written assurance from the government that the in-service quota for postgraduate medical admissions, once finalized, will remain consistent in subsequent years. This follows previous protests by doctors when the state government reduced reservation for in-service candidates in PG medical courses from 30% to 15% in clinical branches and from 50% to 30% in non-clinical branches. These previous protests concluded after Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav reportedly assured an increase in the clinical quota to 20%.
Further demands include the provision of allowances for doctors working in tribal areas and Sanchara Chikitsa allowances. Regarding time-bound promotions, officials have indicated these would be granted without financial benefits, a proposition the association has deemed unsatisfactory. The ongoing strike has received support from various organizations, including the United Medical and Health Employees’ Association, CITU, Praja Arogya Vedika, and ASHAs.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/phc-doctors-continue-their-strike-for-fifth-day-in-andhra-pradesh/article70125663.ece