Patna, Aug 29 - Twenty-one patients in the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) have died after a strike by junior doctors that entered its third day Saturday, authorities said.

'While six patients died Thursday, 15 died in the last 24 hours. Lack of doctors in the emergency ward led to most deaths,' a government official said.

More than 400 junior doctors are on an indefinite strike from Thursday demanding hike in their stipends.

The strike has badly hit the emergency, outdoor and surgery services in the hospital.

The hospital authorities have sought the help of the state health department to cope up with the situation. More than 50 doctors have been requisitioned from nearby hospitals but only a dozen have joined.

'In last two days, hundreds of patients were forced to shift to private nursing homes.