Flash strike by KEM workers

MUMBAI, Oct 28: Workers at KEM Hospital, Parel, went on a flash strike today after a colleague died at the hospital on Tuesday night allegedly due to medical negligence.

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 workers8217; 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 After assurances from the hospital authorities, the strike was withdrawn.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.