Malda (WB): There was no fresh crib death at the Malda College and Hospital here, with the toll remaining at 27 since Saturday, even as state health official today said the situation was not alarming.
"The situation is not as alarming as made out in the media. The infrastructure at the Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit in the hospital has improved," Dr Tridip Banerjee, chairman of the state-appointed health task force, told reporters here.
Banerjee and another member of the Taskforce inspected the Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit and spoke to the college superintendent, doctors and family members of children admitted.
The Paediatric and the Sick Neonatal Care Unit 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, hospital sources said.
The causes of death were malnourishment, underweight, and premature birth, they said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last year formed a high-level task force to look into rising infant death cases in state-run hospitals.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, November 29, 2012, 15:17