Guwahati: The Assam government has sent a team of medical experts to the state-run Jorhat Medical College Hospital (JMCH) following the death of 16 infants within nine days.

The team, led by Dr Anup Barman, Director of Medical Education, will study the cause of deaths and investigate the matter.

According to reports, at least 15 newborns died in the government-run hospital in Upper Assam’s Jorhat district within a span of six days.  One more death was reported on November 9, taking the toll to 16.

"

Saurav Borkakoti, superintendent of JMCH said that 15 infants died at the special care newborn unit of the hospital between November 1 and 6.

“The Head of the paediatrics department informed me that at least 15 newborns have died between November 1 and 6. I feel that, it is not a normal incident and immediately formed an inquiry committee to probe the matter and to evaluate the actual facts,” Borkakoti said.

The JMCH authorities have already formed a six-member committee to probe the matter.