Local newspapers reported that more than 20 newborns died at a Turkish hospital during the last two weeks. As a measure to cut the deaths, Turkish health officials have halted admissions of some pregnant women to the hospital in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

Turkish officials said expectant mothers who are at risk for premature deliveries are being blocked from entering Ankara’s Dr. Zekai Tarik Burak Hospital after the scientific committee established by the Ministry of Health has released a report showing that13 babies out of 49 who died last month died as a result of infection.

On the other hand, the management of Zekai Tahir Burak Children’s Hospital in Ankara rejected the claims that the cause of death of 13 babies was infection.

The scientific committee stated that the deaths were indeed due to infection and not an epidemic in the hospital, local sources reported. The committee related the fatalities to overcrowdedness and an insufficient number of hospital staff.

The committee found every nurse had to take care of four high-risk babies.

“The increase in the number of babies and the relative decrease in the size of the personnel are behind the deaths, we believe,” Dr. Fahri Ovali, one of the members of the committee, said, as quoted by the Associated Press.

The Health and Social Services Workers union agreed that the hospital was understaffed.  

Meanwhile, 14 babies are still infected.