Bihar’s junior doctors call off strike

PATNA - Bihar’s junior doctors called off their 12-day strike Saturday evening following an assurance that the state government will pay the increased stipend promised to them in August, officials said.

The assurance was given by the Indian Medical Association.

Officials said that 500 junior doctors of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and 250 junior doctors of the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) would resume work either Saturday night or Sunday morning.

The junior doctors were on strike for payment of the increased stipend promised to them. They had resolved to continue despite the state human rights commission’s threat to file criminal cases against them.

An official said the state government has submitted to the rights panel a list of over 100 patients who have reportedly due to lack of treatment during the strike.