‘Canada Should Take Responsibility’: MEA On Indian-Origin Man's Death After 'Hospital Negligence'

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that the Canadian government should take responsibility in the case of an Indian-origin man who died of a suspected cardiac arrest while awaiting treatment at a hospital in Canada, following allegations of medical negligence by his wife.

Responding to media queries, the MEA clarified that while the deceased was of Indian origin, he was a Canadian national.

“The individual was of Indian origin but a Canadian citizen. The Canadian government should take responsibility in this matter,” the MEA said.

The statement comes days after a video surfaced on social media in which Niharika Sreekumar accused Grey Nuns Community Hospital in Edmonton of failing to provide timely medical care to her husband,

Prashant Sreekumar, leading to his death.

Prashant Sreekumar, 44, reportedly complained of severe chest pain around noon on December 22 and was taken to the hospital by 12.20 pm.

According to his wife, he remained in the triage area for nearly eight hours, repeatedly complaining of chest pain as his blood pressure continued to rise. She claimed the last recorded reading was 210, well above normal levels.

Niharika alleged that during the long wait, her husband was only administered Tylenol and was told that chest pain was not being treated as an emergency, with no suspicion of a cardiac issue.

She said Prashant was finally taken inside for treatment around 9 pm, but collapsed moments later.

“He stood up briefly and then fainted. I heard the nurse say she couldn’t feel a pulse,” she said in the video. Despite attempts to resuscitate him, Prashant was declared dead due to an apparent cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife and their three children, aged three, 10 and 14.

MEA On Bondi Beach Attack

The ministry said it is closely monitoring developments related to the recent terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, adding that Australian authorities are in touch with Indian officials regarding the incident.

A mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on December 14 left 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old child, during a Hanukkah celebration that had drawn nearly 1,000 attendees.

Australian authorities said the attack took place in the early evening and involved two gunmen, identified as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the incident as a targeted assault on the Jewish community, stating that it was a deliberate attack carried out on the first day of Hanukkah.

MEA On Killing Of Indian Student In Canada

The MEA also addressed another case in Canada involving the killing of an Indian-origin student.

The ministry said it is in contact with the family of the deceased student and is coordinating with local authorities and the Indian consulate to extend all possible assistance.

The student, identified as Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old doctoral candidate at the University of Toronto, was fatally shot near the campus earlier this week.

Toronto Police said they responded to a call reporting an incident near Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road on December 23 at around 3.34 pm and found the student with a gunshot wound.

An investigation is underway, and police have sought public assistance to trace the attackers.

The MEA reiterated that the safety and welfare of Indians and persons of Indian origin abroad remains a priority and said it will continue to engage with foreign governments and local authorities in such cases.