BRISBANE – Doctors at a Brisbane hospital have refused to release a one-year-old girl, badly burnt on Nauru, until a “suitable home environment is identified”.

The girl was injured when boiling water was accidentally spilt inside the tent she was living in with her parents.

She was flown to Brisbane and admitted to Lady Cilento Hospital.

In a statement on Friday, a hospital spokesman said the baby would not be discharged until a “suitable home environment is identified, as is the case with every child who presents at hospital”.

“All decisions relating to a patient’s treatment and discharge are made by qualified clinical staff, based on a thorough assessment of the individual patient’s clinical condition and circumstances, and with the goal of delivering the best outcome,” the statement read.

It is understood the baby’s injuries are healing well and her condition is now listed as stable.

The girl’s parents are both in Brisbane and have been visiting her daily.

About 50 protesters gathered outside the hospital on Friday night to support the hospital’s decision – some held signs calling for the closure of Manus and Nauru.

Protest spokeswoman Ellen Roberts said another action was planned for Saturday.

“We are gathered here tonight in support of the young girl who is inside the hospital and her family,” she said.

“We also support the doctors who have taken a very brave stance in refusing to release her.”

It’s understood the girl is a baby known as Asha who in mid-2015 became the first infant born into detention in Australia to be transferred to Nauru.

Her mother is by her side and the girl’s father is being detained at Pinkenba, north of Brisbane, but has been visiting the hospital.

The protesters, who came together via social media, waved signs such as “thank you doctors”, “let them stay” and “persecution for profit – shut it down”.

Roberts, said the group was determined to “maintain a supportive presence”.

“Given the problem with healthcare we believe they are doing the right thing as health professionals, so we are standing with the family and we are standing with the doctors and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to stop people being removed back to Nauru,” she said.

“The tide is really turning on this issue. I think hopefully these doctors are part of this wave that’s happening in this country right now.

“These are the people that are most vulnerable, here in Australia seeking medical attention, so we are calling on the camps to be closed.”

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton’s office has been contacted for comment. - PNC