Doctors from Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva-empanelled hospitals participating in a protest, demanding release of pending dues from the State government, in Vijayawada on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI
Around 1,000 doctors and medical staff from 450 network hospitals participated in a protest organised by the A.P. Speciality Hospitals’ Association (ASHA) to highlight their plight due to pending dues from the State government.
ASHA received support from the Indian Medical Association, A.P. Government Doctors’ Association, A.P. Junior Doctors’ Association, A.P. Nursing Homes Association. During the protest, the representatives of all the associations decided to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to formulate the further course of action if the government failed to clear the dues immediately.
While the State government released ₹250 crore on Wednesday night, the network hospitals decided to continue the strike on the 15th day on Thursday. The total sum to be paid to the network hospitals, which provide free treatments to public under Dr. NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, is around ₹2,700 crore.
After the network hospitals announced discontinuation of services from October 10, many patients were coming to the government hospitals for treatment. According to information, many government hospitals are running at full capacity.
“The dues are mounting and patients are suffering. Due to discontinuation of services under the scheme, the government hospitals in the State have seen an average increase of 25% in admissions, emergency services and outpatient services. Many patients are postponing their medical treatments,” said A.P. Government Doctors’ Association president Jayadheer Babu.
Published – October 23, 2025 11:24 pm IST
