The strike by junior doctors, ongoing for the past two days in Bihar, concluded on Friday. Junior doctors working in major medical colleges across the state had been on strike since Wednesday (September 17, 2025) over their six-point demands.
Patna: The strike by junior doctors, ongoing for the past two days in Bihar, has finally ended. All junior doctors have returned to provide their services in OPDs starting Friday. Doctors from PMCH, NMCH, and other medical colleges in the state were part of this strike. Patients faced significant difficulties due to the strike.
A press release issued by the JDU stated that junior doctors were given written assurances regarding their demands. Following this, the doctors decided to end the strike and have now returned to work normally in hospitals.
Strike Ends After Written Assurance from Government
A press release issued by the Janata Dal United (JDU) informed that the government has assured serious consideration of the junior doctors' demands. Doctors were given written assurance that all their demands would be addressed in a phased manner. It was after this that the junior doctors decided to end the strike.
Although the doctors' demands have not been fully met, they have currently returned to work based on the government's assurance. Experts suggest that if the promises are not implemented in a timely manner, the situation could become critical again in the coming days.
When and Why Did the Strike Begin?
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, junior doctors from all government medical colleges in Bihar collectively began a strike. Their main demands included:
- Salary increase and timely payment of salaries.
- Strengthening security arrangements at the workplace.
- Better hostel and accommodation facilities for resident doctors.
- Availability of modern equipment and adequate medicines in medical colleges.
- Regularizing working hours and providing allowances for extra duty.
- Improvements in policies related to promotion and career growth.
The doctors had stated that they would not return to work until the government took concrete steps on these demands.
Increased Patient Distress
This two-day strike had the greatest impact on patients. OPD services were completely disrupted in major hospitals across the state, including Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) and Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH) in Patna. Many patients arrived at hospitals for the treatment of their children and elders but had to return without treatment.
People from rural areas faced the most difficulties. However, the continuation of emergency services provided some relief to critically ill patients. A patient's family member said, “We have been visiting the hospital for two days, but treatment could not begin due to the unavailability of doctors. We hope that the situation will now normalize.”
