Telangana AYUSH doctors call off 28-day strike after Health Minister assures stipend hike

Telangana AYUSH doctors and students have ended a 28-day strike after receiving assurances from State Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha regarding a long-pending stipend increase. The decision to call off the strike followed a meeting in Hyderabad between the Minister and a delegation of AYUSH students, house surgeons, postgraduate doctors, and student leaders. The delegation had demanded parity in stipends for AYUSH medical professionals, aligning them with those provided to their counterparts in allopathy.

The strike, which began nearly a month ago, highlighted the persistent demand for an equitable stipend structure for AYUSH professionals in Telangana. For nearly a decade, AYUSH house surgeons and postgraduate doctors have sought increased financial support, citing disparities in stipends compared to allopathy doctors. The delegation emphasized that their stipends had not been revised in line with inflation or professional standards, making the issue a long-standing grievance within the AYUSH community.

During the meeting, Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha reportedly assured the delegation that the government would take a positive decision on increasing stipends for AYUSH professionals to match those of allopathy counterparts. He also indicated that the necessary administrative procedures would be expedited, with a Government Order (GO) expected to be issued soon. The Minister’s assurance came as a relief to the striking doctors and students, who had been protesting since mid-August.

A statement released by the doctors following the meeting noted that the Minister had listened to their concerns and acknowledged the urgency of the issue. The withdrawal of the strike signifies a temporary resolution, pending the formal issuance of the GO. While the details of the stipend hike have not been officially confirmed, the government’s commitment to addressing the demand has been welcomed by the AYUSH community.

The Telangana government’s response to the strike underscores the broader challenges faced by AYUSH professionals in securing equitable recognition and compensation. The AYUSH system, which includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, has been steadily gaining prominence in India’s healthcare landscape. However, disparities in stipends have remained a contentious issue, particularly as medical professionals in allopathy continue to receive higher financial support during training.

With the strike now called off, the focus shifts to the implementation of the promised stipend hike. The AYUSH community in Telangana will be closely monitoring the government’s next steps to ensure that the assurances translate into tangible benefits.

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