Upset over medical officer's remarks, woman attempts suicide

Allegedly upset over frequent snides by a senior medical officer, a 32-year-old laboratory attendant tried to kill herself by consuming clinical acid in government hospital at Kotture near here, police said today. The victim Manimala took the step as she was fed up with the behaviour of Health Extension Officer Buchi Babu, they said. According to her, Babu used to taunt her and even complained to senior authorities that she was referring patients to private labs for commission. On Tuesday, she gulped the clinical acid at the laboratory, following which the hospital staff rushed her to Rajeev Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences at Srikakulam where she is recuperating. Police said Babu had even tried to misbehave with her in the past. When contacted Babu denied the allegations. A complaint has been registered against the officer and investigations are on, police said.