Six more infants died at the Dharmapuri Government Hospital since yesterday, increasing the toll of toddlers to 11 so far.
However, the hospital authorities asserted that the deaths were not due to medical negiligence.
A day after the authorities in the state-run hospital scaled up measures and roped in paediatric experts from Chennai to check further deaths of infants, one more breathed its last yesterday and five more died today, according to hospital sources.
Dean In Charge of the Hospital M Elangovan speaking to PTI said "from November 14 to 3 PM today, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit recorded 11 deaths".
"The deaths are owing to the extreme non-viability nature of factors, including pre-existing low birth weight and respiratory distress. There is no medical negligence. We have been making the best of efforts to save the children," he said.
"All the newborn babies were given necessary medical management, ventilatory support and 24 hours care by trained medical and para medical personnel," he added.
Stating that patients were brought from surrounding districts and private practioners "in very critical stages," he said as a government institution committed to people's welfare, "we take in all patients and give maximum possible medical management."
Of the 11 deaths, eight were from outside, including Public Health Centres in Hosur and Krishnagiri.
"Five were pre-term babies," he said, adding, best efforts to save the baby of a woman who had suffered fits ended in vain.
"Severe complications like birth asphyxia, very low birth weight like less than a kilo are big challenges that are dealt with everyday," he said.
Meanwhile, an inspection was conducted by top health official Dr Srinivasan, who is also the State Nodal Officer for Neonatal Intensive Care Units in government hosptials.
Asked about the inspection, he said, "the top official is convinced. Everything here is in order and we follow all stipulated protocols.
