Patna, Aug 31 - After an assurance from the Bihar government of a hike in stipend, protesting junior doctors of the Patna Medical College and Hospital here Monday night withdrew their five-day long strike that has claimed the lives of 38 patients.

Speaking to newspersons after his meeting with Health Minister Nand Kishore Yadav, the Junior Doctors Association (JDA) president Rajiv Babu Prajapati said the association has withdrawn its agitation following an assurance from the government to address their demands as soon as possible.

The JDA has asked all the junior doctors to resume their duties.

The five-day-old strike by junior doctors in the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) here has claimed the lives of at least 38 patients.