Crib deaths continue in Bengal, toll reaches 18

Kolkata: Crib deaths at West Bengal's Malda Medical College and Hospital continues unabated with three more babies dying since Friday to take the toll to 18.

"Three more babies, all brought here in very critical condition, have died since Friday. Since Monday 18 babies, mostly newborn have died," Medical Superintendent and Vice Principal M.A. Rashid said adding that all the infants were either underweight or malnourished.

Rashid said special measures including arranging for 24 hours availability of neonatal experts are being taken to prevent more deaths.

The state-run hospital has frequently witnessed infant deaths in the recent past. In July, over a dozen babies died, while in June at least 19 infants died of encephalitis. In January, over a dozen crib deaths occurred.