-Serious questions raised on health system

Canada . Canada’s health system is once again in the dock. Prashant Sreekumar, a 44-year-old Indian-origin chartered accountant, died at Gray Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton. It is alleged that despite suffering from severe chest pain, he had to wait for more than eight hours in the emergency ward and did not receive proper treatment on time. The incident has been described by family and community members as an “entirely avoidable tragedy.”

According to family members, Prashant Sreekumar suddenly suffered severe chest pain while working on December 22. A client immediately took him to the hospital. Prashant’s father Kumar Sreekumar said his son’s pain was “10 out of 15 level, unbearable”. Upon reaching the hospital, he underwent an ECG, but reportedly no serious problems were detected and he was only given Tylenol and told to wait.

The family alleges that during this period, Prashant’s condition continued to deteriorate. His blood pressure rose to dangerous levels and he repeatedly complained of severe pain, but there was no prompt medical intervention.

When he was finally called to the treatment area after more than eight hours of waiting, he suddenly collapsed. Medical staff tried to save him, but he died due to cardiac arrest.
Prashant leaves behind his wife and three young children aged 3, 10 and 14. Family and friends say that if he had received timely and serious treatment, his life could have been saved. Indian community member Varinder Singh Bhullar said the incident highlights serious flaws in the health system and could have been prevented.

There is widespread reaction after the video and details of the incident surfaced on social media.

Many are questioning the long wait times, triage processes and lack of staffing in emergency services. Experts say symptoms like severe chest pain should be given high priority and delay in such cases can prove fatal.

A detailed official response from the hospital administration is awaited. At the same time, demands are being raised from the local administration and health department to investigate the matter. People of the community are appealing for transparent investigation, accountability and improvement in emergency services, so that such incidents are not repeated in future.