The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the Canadian government must take responsibility and thoroughly examine the death of an Indian-origin man in Canada, which was reportedly caused by medical negligence of hospital staff.
Speaking at the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the victim was a Canadian national of Indian origin. “The person is of Indian origin, but he happens to be a Canadian national. So, obviously the government of Canada should take responsibility in this particular matter,” Jaiswal said.
How did he die?
As per local media reports, Prashant Sreekumar (44) died of suspected cardiac arrest while waiting for treatment in a Canadian hospital’s emergency room area. An accountant by profession and father of 3 children, Sreekumar experienced severe chest pains at work on Monday (December 22) and was subsequently rushed to the Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton, Global News reported.
Despite repeatedly complaining of intense chest pain, Sreekumar was allegedly told by hospital staff that there was nothing serious and was made to wait for over eight hours before being called for treatment. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, told Canadian media that his son was in extreme distress. “He told me, ‘Papa, I cannot bear the pain,’” he recalled.
Moments after being taken into the treatment area, Sreekumar reportedly collapsed and died of an apparent cardiac arrest. “After sitting maybe 10 seconds, he looked at me, he got up and put his hand on his chest and just crashed,” his father told the Canadian press.
MEA also responds to killing of Indian student in Canada
During the same briefing, the MEA also expressed condolences over the death of an Indian student who was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough earlier this week. Calling it an “unfortunate incident,” Jaiswal said Indian authorities are in touch with Canadian officials and the victim’s family.
The student, Shivank Avasthi, a doctoral candidate, was found with a gunshot wound near Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road on Tuesday afternoon. Canadian police said the victim was discovered by a passerby on a paved trail and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are treating the case as a homicide.
The MEA said India’s consulate in Canada is providing all possible assistance to the family and coordinating with local authorities to understand the circumstances surrounding both incidents.
