Mother returns to baby at CMCH

Mother of a newborn baby girl -- who was left in Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on February 1 -- yesterday returned to the hospital and claimed custody of the child.

Sharmin Akter, a readymade garment worker, appeared at the hospital's neurosurgery ward with her father and claimed that she is the mother of the baby, said Akterul Islam, deputy director of CMCH, adding, “We asked her to provide proof [of her claim] and questioned if she is indeed the mother, why she had left the baby.”

“The woman said her husband left her some eight months ago when she became pregnant. She used to live in the city's Pahartoli area with some of her co-workers,” said Akhterul, adding, “During the time of delivery, she called in her father from Bhola on February 1.”

“The baby was born with congenital health conditions. Sharmin's father brought her to CMCH as she was too ill to come to the hospital by herself,” said Akhterul, adding, “Her father left the baby in the care of a woman he was acquainted with, and gave her some money to take care of the baby as he was leaving for Bhola to bring Sharmin's mother. But the woman fled the hospital.”

“We sent Sharmin to gynaecology department for examination and found proof of delivery,” he said, adding, “We also asked police to verify the matter.”

“Primarily we are convinced that Sharmin is the mother of the baby,” he said.