Patna, Nov 18 - Junior doctors in Bihar are determined to continue their strike and have rejected the state human rights commission's request to end their nine-day-old protest, officials said Wednesday.

About 500 junior doctors of the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) have struck work demanding payment of the increased stipend promised to them earlier.

The strike has also hit the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).

"We will not call off the strike until the state government gives written assurance that it will pay the increased stipend," Junior Doctors Association leader Dheeraj Kumar said.

Emergency services have been hit and surgeries have been postponed in the hospitals. The Patna Medical College and Hospital has witnessed an exodus of patients. (IANS)