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.