Three more babies die at Bengal district hospital, toll 12

Three more babies died at the Malda District Sadar Hospital on Friday, increasing the toll of infant deaths there to 12 since Tuesday, health department sources said.

Three children -- a one a half month old, a two-day old and another 28-day old -- died on Friday, hospital sources said.

The three children died as they were underweight and suffering from broncho-pneumonia and other serious ailments, they said.

Till Thursday, nine babies who were suffering from broncho-pneumonia and low birth weight had died since 12 noon Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the hospital sources said a new critical care unit has been opened in the paediatric department of the hospital.

Three more paediatric doctors including a professor of a medical college have been deputed to the hospital today, they said.

Thirty six babies had died at several district hospitals, including the B C Roy Children's Hospital in Kolkata, in October.