The ongoing indefinite strike by junior doctors in the Patna Medical College and Hospital has cost six patients their lives.

Sources in the PMCH said six patients, including three women and a child, died due to the strike by post-graduate medical students. The strike has paralysed the emergency services of the hospital.

A senior hospital official on condition of anonymity told rediff.com that the ongoing strike by junior doctors had crippled medical services.

Sources said while four patients died at the PMCH on Friday, two died on Saturday.

The junior doctors began their indefinite strike on Thursday to protest the forcible eviction of those staying illegally in hostels meant for nurses following a Patna high court directive to drive away illegal occupants.

The junior doctors said they would not continue to work until the authorities concerned made alternative arrangements for their accommodation or enhanced their allowance so that they could live on their own outside the hospital campus.

•  5 patients die as junior doctors' strike continues

The junior doctors went on a strike in May demanding a raise in stipend and adequate hostel accommodation. They again struck work in June to protest the failure of the PMCH authorities to lodge a police complaint against persons involved in an attack on some of their colleagues in the hospital.

Irked by the frequent strikes of the junior doctors, Indian Medical Association national president Dr Ajay Kumar said they were indulging in acts which were against the profession. He also criticised the government for their strike.