In a shocking incident, a nurse at the Vijayawada Government General Hospital (GGH) in Hanumanpeta allegedly poured a corrosive cleaning liquid on a patient's legs, after she was denied a 'tip', on Tuesday.
The relatives of the patients protested outside the hospital, along with the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW), until authorities took note of their allegations.
According to media reports, G Priyanka (29), was admitted to the hospital on July 11 and delivered a baby on July 15, after a C-section surgery.
However, Priyanka suffered an infection due to the stitches done after the surgery, and had to be kept under observation in the hospital for a little longer.
The Times of India reported that a hospital maid, identified as Shariffa, assisted the patient's family in giving Priyanka a medical procedure called enema, and later sought a 'tip'.
However, Priyanka's kin reportedly did not have enough money.
"The woman was irritated and disgruntled after we told her that we don't have enough money to give her a tip. After some time, my sister suddenly began screaming in pain, saying she was experiencing a burning sensation in her legs," Priyanka's brother, Rahul, told TOI.
Following this, Priyanka's family members told the media, that big, black rashes had appeared on the patient's legs.
The Deccan Chronicle quoted Dr. N Srinivasa Vittal Rao, deputy superintendent of Old GGH, as stating that the rash could have been caused by a disinfectant cleaner used to clean the bedside table.
A probe has been initiated into the issue, based on District Collector Lakshmi Kantham's orders.