In the latest instance of crib deaths in West Bengal, nine babies have died at Malda District Sadar Hospital in the last two days, health department sources said today.
The hospital superintendent, Dr H.K. Ari, said the deaths occurred in the neo-natal unit from 12 noon on Tuesday. A woman gave birth to a stillborn baby at the hospital today, Dr Ari said.
The babies were in the age group of 0 to nine months and were suffering from broncho-pneumonia and low birth weight, he said.
While two newborns died soon after birth at the hospital, others were brought there from villages and nearby areas, he said.