Malda infants death mounts to 31

Four more children died at the Malda College and Hospital here, taking the total number of crib deaths to 31 since Saturday even as a Health Taskforce claimed the situation is not alarming.

Hospital authorities said four children died since Wednesday.

"The situation is not as alarming as it is made out in the media. The infrastructure at the paediatric and the sick neonatal care unit in the hospital has improved," Dr Tridip Banerjee, the chairman of the state appointed Taskforce said.

Dr Banerjee and another member of the Taskforce inspected the paediatric and the sick neonatal care unit and spoke to the superintendent, doctors and family members of children admitted.

The paediatric and the sick Neonatal care units have 46 and 22 beds respectively. Most children who died in the hospital were brought from districts like North and South Dinajpur and neighbouring Jharkhand in a very critical condition.

The cause of death was malnourishment, underweight, and premature birth.