'They killed my husband': Indian-origin man dies at Canadian hospital, wife alleges fatal delay

Prashant Sreekumar, 44, died of suspected cardiac arrest after waiting hours for care at a Canadian hospital despite severe chest pain. His wife’s viral video alleging negligence sparked outrage and renewed debate over hospital wait times and emergency protocols.

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Days after a 44-year-old man of Indian origin man died while waiting for medical care at a hospital in Canada’s Edmonton, a video posted by his wife alleging serious negligence has sparked outrage on social media.

Prashant Sreekumar died of a suspected cardiac arrest at Grey Nuns Community Hospital after what his family says was an hours-long delay in treatment despite repeated complaints of severe chest pain.

Wife accuses hospital of negligence

In the viral video, Prashant’s wife, Niharika Sreekumar, is seen standing beside her husband’s body inside the hospital. Visibly distraught, she accuses the hospital of failing to act in time.

“The hospital killed my husband,” she says in the video, alleging that prolonged delays and lack of timely medical care led to his death.

According to Niharika, her husband began experiencing acute chest pain around noon on Monday, December 22. He was taken to the hospital by 12.20 pm.

She said Prashant was made to sit in the triage area for nearly eight hours. During this time, he repeatedly complained of chest pain while his blood pressure continued to rise.

“The last reading was 210,” she said, adding that the normal range for a healthy adult is far lower.

‘Chest pain was not considered an emergency’

Niharika alleged that during the long wait, her husband was given only Tylenol and received no further medical intervention.

“They told us chest pain was not considered an emergency and that they did not suspect a cardiac issue,” she said.

According to her account, Prashant was finally taken inside for treatment close to 9 pm. However, moments later, his condition worsened suddenly.

“He stood up briefly and then fainted. I heard the nurse say she couldn’t feel a pulse,” Niharika recalled.

Medical staff attempted to resuscitate him, but Prashant could not be revived. He was declared dead due to an apparent cardiac arrest.

Father recalls son’s repeated pleas for help

Prashant’s father, Kumar Sreekumar, echoed the family’s allegations in comments to Canadian media.

He said his son repeatedly told hospital staff that his pain was “15 out of 10.”

An electrocardiogram was conducted, but the family was reportedly told that there were no alarming findings and they were asked to continue waiting.

“He told me, ‘Papa, I cannot bear the pain,’” Kumar Sreekumar said.

Allegations of insensitive behaviour by staff

Niharika also accused hospital staff and security personnel of behaving insensitively when she questioned the delay in treatment.

“Instead of addressing what went wrong, they told me I was being rude,” she said.

Prashant Sreekumar is survived by his wife and their three children aged three, 10, and 14.

Hospital responds, says case under review

Grey Nuns Community Hospital is operated by Covenant Health.

In a statement, the organisation expressed condolences to the family but declined to comment on specific details of the case.

“We extend our sympathies to the patient’s family and friends. The safety and care of our patients and staff remain our highest priority,” the statement said.

Covenant Health added that the incident is currently under review by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The case has reignited debate in Canada over hospital wait times and emergency care protocols, especially for patients reporting cardiac symptoms.