Kolkata, Nov 11 (IANS): Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday said the death of babies in government hospitals in West Bengal was a serious problem and should be addressed urgently.

"It is a serious problem and we have to address it urgently," Mukherjee told reporters here. At least 34 babies have died in government hospitals in West Bengal since Oct 25.

Mukherjee's Congress party partners the Trinamool Congress-led government in the state.

Between Oct 25 and 28, 16 babies died at the B.C. Roy Children's Hospital - the only children's referral hospital in Kolkata. The Burdwan Medical College and Hospital reported 12 infant deaths Oct 27-28. Six babies died in a Malda district hospital since Wednesday.

Earlier in June, 18 babies had died at the B.C. Roy Children's Hospital.

Under fire for the series of crib deaths in government hospitals, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had blamed previous Left Front regimes for the scenario as they had neglected the healthcare sector.