KARACHI, Feb 5: The three-and-a-half-year-old girl who underwent a complicated chest surgery last month, Alina Farooq, is recovering fast. Her doctors are expected to allow her to go home shortly.

According to her mother, Zeenat Farooq, Alina did not have any complication. "She is recovering fast. There is no infection and we will be going home within the next couple of days," she said on Thursday.

Originally from Dera Ghazi Khan, Ms Farooq said the doctors working for the National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (NICVD) had taken good care of her. "The treatment that she got is good and we did not have to pay a single penny."

In response to a question, Ms Farooq said the doctors were expected to carry out some tests on Friday. "Once these tests are done, we will be told when to visit the hospital next."

Baby Alina was sleeping when her mother was talking to Dawn. With her teeth she clasped the nipple of a bottle filled with juice.

Dr Sher Mohammad Memon, a TRMO, said the baby was free of complications. "Initially we feared that infection could rear its ugly head soon after the operation. But everything is fine and safe until now."

Baby Alina was born without a major chest bone. The reconstructive surgery performed on her was aimed at providing protection to her heart which was, in the absence of the bone, vulnerable to injuries.

Most of the cases similar to Alina's, which have been documented as well, belong to European countries. Such cases may number more than a hundred.

However, fewer than 10 cases have been reported in which a major bone was missing. None of these cases are from the Asian countries, making Alina's case rare.