Shuchi, the infant that weighed only 700 grams at birth has managed to survive, despite being deserted by her family, with the aid and assistance of 22 individuals.

The baby was handed over to Families for Children (FFC), an orphanage from Pancare Hospital yesterday afternoon after being treated at the hospital since she was brought here.

"The baby now weighs three kilograms. Born prematurely at six and a half months she has now grown up and her physical condition is rather steady, after three months and 20 days. Even her mental ability has reached that of a 3-month-old baby," said Dr Abdur Matin, Consultant Paediatrician, of Pancare Hospital and in charge of the baby's treatment.

Doctors who treated Shuchi did not charge any fee. Meanwhile nurses of the hospital not only took care of her as a part of their duty, but also looked after her unconditionally. They made dresses and kantha (cotton wraps) for Shuchi out of love for the child.

Alamin Islam, a male nurse of Pancare Hospital, who nursed Shuchi ever since she was admitted, became very emotional at the thought of her departure. Alamin rushed to her immediately whenever she had any problem.

"What I did for her was nothing special. I got so emotionally attached to her as she had no one who could take care of her except us," said Alamin.

Morsheda, another nurse, was also close to Shuchi for a long time that she rushed to nurse Shuchi leaving her own daughter at home who was suffering from fever.

When she was asked why she did that, she said: "There are many who can take care of my daughter but Shuchi had none."

Dr Matin and Professor MAK Azad Chowdhury, Head of Neonatal Department, Dhaka Shishu Hospital took care of the baby from May 27 just after she was admitted to the hospital.

Shuchi was brought to the hospital on May 27 around 11:30 pm immediately after she was born, by a middle-aged couple who introduced them as the baby's maternal uncle and grandmother. The infant was wrapped in a piece of cloth.

They were looking for an incubator and finding none in Dhaka Shishu Hospital they came to Pancare Hospital. While the hospital staffs were busy arranging an incubator, they ran away leaving the baby behind.

Later, the Families For Children (FFC), a non-government organisation (NGO), along with many kind-hearted people, took the responsibility of the baby and its treatment.

"I read the news on Shuchi in The Daily Star and it immediately struke me. As her family deserted her, I thought the responsibilities lay on our shoulders and I extended my hand to help her," said one of the donors preferring anonymity.

"A similar news published in another English daily on Shuchi drew my attention. At that moment I thought she needed my help within my limitation" said Mrs Sabera Rahman, one of the donors who contributed to raise a fund for Shuchi's well being.

The story published in The Daily Star on June 19 about Shuchi drew the attention of many patrons to assisting the authorities to take care of the infant. According to FFC the total amount of donation totalled to Tk 92,000. But the cost of Shuchi's treatment amounts to Tk 1.5 lakh.

Shikha Biswas of FFC and Dr Munira Rahman, managing director of Pancare Hospital expressed gratitude to the donors for their contribution for Shuchi.

Shikha Biswas, FFC's assistant project manager said: "The discounts we get from doctor's fees, pathology and medicines helped us a lot to keep the expenditure low."

Professor MAK Azad Chowdhury expressed his gratitude to the nurses and doctors of the hospitals. He said: "The care of the doctors and the nurses of the hospital have helped Shuchi survive."