An Indian-origin professional living in Canada has died following what his family describes as a prolonged and inadequate response at a hospital emergency room, raising fresh concerns over delays in Canada’s healthcare system.

Prashant Sreekumar, 44, collapsed and died from a suspected heart attack after spending several hours in the emergency waiting area of Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton. The incident occurred on December 22, after Sreekumar experienced intense chest pain while at work and was taken to the hospital by a colleague.

According to family members, Sreekumar was registered at the hospital’s triage desk and then asked to wait. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived shortly after and said his son repeatedly complained of unbearable pain, rating it far beyond tolerable levels. An initial heart test was reportedly conducted, but hospital staff indicated there were no alarming findings and did not admit him for immediate care.

As the hours passed, Sreekumar’s condition worsened. His family said he was given pain relief medication, but his blood pressure continued to rise steadily. Despite visible distress, he remained in the waiting area for more than eight hours.

When he was finally moved into the treatment section, tragedy struck within moments. According to his father, Sreekumar stood up, clutched his chest and collapsed. Medical staff attempted emergency resuscitation, but he could not be revived.

Sreekumar is survived by his wife and three young children, aged three, 10 and 14. The hospital is managed by Covenant Health, which has stated that the incident is being reviewed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. While declining to discuss individual patient care, the healthcare provider expressed condolences to the bereaved family and reiterated its commitment to patient safety.

The case has intensified scrutiny of emergency room wait times in Canada and has sparked calls for accountability and systemic reform.