Junior Doctors Strike In Madhya Pradesh Over Stipend Delay, OPD Services Hit

Outpatient department (OPD) services at several government hospitals across Madhya Pradesh were disrupted on Monday after junior doctors launched a strike to protest delays in the payment of their stipends. The protest, led by resident doctors working in government medical colleges and hospitals, has affected routine healthcare services, leaving many patients waiting for consultations or being asked to return at a later date.

Junior doctors said their stipends had not been paid for several months, prompting them to stop routine services and demand immediate action from the state government. According to representatives of the doctors’ association, repeated requests and communications with hospital administrations and state authorities failed to produce results, forcing them to escalate the matter through a coordinated protest.

Hospitals in major cities including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur reported disruptions in OPD services as a large number of resident doctors stayed away from work. Patients visiting government hospitals for routine check-ups, follow-up appointments and minor treatments were among the worst affected. Many hospitals witnessed long queues and delays as the remaining staff attempted to manage the patient load.

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Despite the strike, emergency and critical services have largely continued to function. Senior doctors, faculty members and consultants stepped in to handle urgent cases, including patients in emergency wards, intensive care units and trauma centres. Hospital authorities said efforts were being made to ensure that life-saving treatments and critical care services were not impacted by the protest.

Junior doctors involved in the strike said delayed stipends have created financial strain for many residents, who rely on the monthly payments to manage living expenses, accommodation, and educational commitments during their training. They also pointed out that resident doctors form the backbone of hospital operations, often working long shifts while handling a large share of patient care in government facilities.

Representatives of the protesting doctors said they would continue their strike until the government clears the pending dues and provides a clear assurance that future stipend payments will be made on time. They added that the issue has been raised multiple times in the past but has remained unresolved, leading to recurring dissatisfaction among resident doctors.

Officials from the state health department acknowledged the disruption and said discussions were underway to address the concerns raised by the doctors. Authorities indicated that steps were being taken to process the delayed payments and restore normal hospital functioning as soon as possible.

The strike highlights ongoing concerns in several states regarding working conditions and payment delays for resident doctors in public healthcare institutions. With government hospitals in Madhya Pradesh catering to a large number of patients, especially those from economically weaker sections, prolonged disruption in OPD services could significantly affect access to routine medical care if the dispute is not resolved quickly.

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