The worker, 58-year-old Shashi Mandrekar, used to work in the microbiology department of the hospital. According to Anand V Rankhambe, assistant dean of the hospital, Mandrekar was suffering from cardiac problems and diabetes. He was admitted to the hospital at 1.30 pm on Tuesday and kept in the general ward. Mandrekar passed away at around midnight.

The workers' claimed that Mandrekar would not have died had he been taken to the ICU instead. They raised slogans and struck work for two hours. After assurances from the hospital authorities, the strike was withdrawn. The hospital authorities claimed that the strike did not affect the functioning of the hospital.

Mayor-in-Council member in charge of health, Sardar Tara Singh, who visited the hospital, and spoke to the workers denied any negligence by doctors. ``The doctors and nursesfailed to inform the family members about the worker's condition, which is why they were under the impression that the doctors did not do their duty,'' he said.

Hospital authorities have promised to set up a committee to inquire into the matter.