PTC Web Desk: A 44-year-old man of Indian origin died of a suspected cardiac arrest in Canada after allegedly waiting for hours without medical intervention at a hospital in Edmonton, raising renewed concerns over emergency care delays.

The deceased, Prashant Sreekumar, collapsed at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital on December 22, after reporting intense chest pain earlier in the day while at work. He was taken to the hospital by a client and registered at the emergency department.

According to his family, Sreekumar was assessed at triage and asked to wait in the emergency room. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, arrived shortly afterward and informed hospital staff that his son was in extreme distress.

Despite complaining of worsening pain and high blood pressure, Sreekumar remained in the waiting area for more than eight hours, the family alleged. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed during the wait, but the results were reportedly described as normal by staff. He was later given pain medication, but his condition did not improve.

His father said when Sreekumar was eventually taken into the treatment area, he collapsed moments later, clutching his chest. Medical staff attempted resuscitation, but he was declared dead shortly afterward. Doctors later confirmed that he had suffered an apparent cardiac arrest.

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

The hospital is run by Covenant Health, which issued a statement expressing condolences but declined to comment on individual care details. The healthcare provider confirmed that the case is currently being reviewed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The incident has sparked debate in Canada over emergency room wait times and patient triage procedures.