As Indian-origin man dies after hours-long wait at Canada hospital, wife’s emotional video sparks outrage | Watch

PTC Web Desk: The death of an Indian-origin man at a Canadian hospital has sparked public anger and renewed scrutiny of emergency healthcare services after his wife shared a video detailing what she described as a grave failure in patient care.

Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old Edmonton resident, allegedly died following a suspected cardiac arrest after waiting close to eight hours for treatment at Grey Nuns Community Hospital. The incident gained widespread attention after his wife, Niharika Sreekumar, posted a video on social media recounting the family’s experience and accusing the hospital of negligence.

According to Niharika, Prashant began suffering from acute chest pain around noon on Monday, December 22. He was brought to the hospital by approximately 12,20 pm but remained in the triage area for several hours, despite repeatedly reporting severe pain and distress.

She claimed that during the prolonged wait, Prashant’s blood pressure continued to rise, with the final reading reportedly reaching 210, far above the normal range of under 120/80 mmHg. Despite these warning signs, she alleged that he was only administered Tylenol and did not receive urgent medical attention.

In her video, Niharika said hospital staff dismissed his symptoms, telling the family that chest pain was not being treated as an emergency and that a cardiac issue was not suspected.

After waiting for nearly eight and a half hours, Prashant was eventually taken into the emergency room. Shortly thereafter, he collapsed.

“He stood up, and within moments, he fainted,” Niharika recalled. “I heard a nurse say she couldn’t find a pulse.”

Medical staff attempted resuscitation, but Prashant could not be revived and was declared dead, reportedly due to cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife and their three children, aged three, 10, and 14.

Niharika also alleged that during the ordeal, hospital security personnel accused her of being rude instead of addressing her concerns, even as she was grieving.

Earlier, Prashant’s father, Kumar Sreekumar, mentioned that his son had described the pain as unbearable. “He said it was 15 out of 10,” Kumar recalled, adding that Prashant repeatedly begged for help while waiting.

Although an electrocardiogram (ECG) was conducted, the family claimed they were informed that the results did not indicate an immediate threat and were asked to continue waiting.

“He called me and said, ‘Papa, I can’t tolerate this pain anymore,’” Kumar said.

Grey Nuns Community Hospital is managed by Covenant Health. In a statement to Global News, the healthcare provider expressed condolences to the family but said it could not comment on the case as the matter is being reviewed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

“We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones,” the statement said. “Patient safety and quality of care are our top priorities.”