Egypt's doctors began a partial strike on Monday to press for improved conditions and will not end their strike until their demands are met, said members of the Doctors' Syndicate.

The demands include an increase in the health budget - specifically making it 15 percent of the state budget - an immediate decision on doctors' administrative and financial conditions and improving security at hospitals and medical centers to protect doctors and patients from assaults.

The decision to strike was reached in a general doctors assembly about two weeks ago.

The strike excludes university hospitals, police and army hospitals and emergency rooms, secretary general of the doctors' syndicate Ahmed Bakr told head of Cairo security.

Bakr, who was optimistic that the strike will end soon with the fulfilling of the demands, asked the head of Cairo security to take the necessary measures to intensify security at hospitals.

Chairman and secretary general of the Doctors' Syndicate will meet with local councils on Friday to evaluate the situation four days into the strike, reported the Middle East News Agency.

Bakr told Cairo security that he explained the doctors' cause to the public and patients and guided participating doctors on how to prevent possible confrontations.

The syndicate reached an agreement with the health ministry to not punish any of the doctors participating in the strike or prevent any from practicing their duties to treat patients.

The Nurses' Syndicate has announced that it will not be participating in the strike so as to ensure the health of patients.