China's Ministry of Health (MOH) on Sunday ordered provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities to set up expert panels to provide medical consultation for baby patients poisoned by contaminated milk powder.

Medical institutions must provide sick babies with free and in-time treatment in accordance with the treatment plan set up by the MOH, and consult provincial expert panels or MOH experts if necessary, the ministry said.

Babies needing better medical service should be transferred as soon as possible, the ministry added.

The move comes after the scandal of the poisoned Sanlu milk powder that has caused kidney stones in at least 432 babies as of Saturday night.

(Xinhua News Agency September 14, 2008)