Digital Desk, New Delhi. Elon Musk on Friday criticized the Canadian healthcare system after the death of a 44-year-old Indian-origin man who died after waiting more than eight hours for medical help.
According to the victim's family, Prashant Sreekumar died of suspected cardiac arrest after being kept for a long time despite chest pain in the voting area of Gray Nuns Community Hospital, Edmonton. The video shared by his wife went viral, in which she is telling that the hospital staff ignored her husband's condition.
Musk targets Canada's health system
In response, Musk wrote on X, "When the government does medical care, it's only as good as the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)." He took aim at Canada's healthcare system by comparing it to the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles, which many criticize for inefficiency.
When the government does medical care, it is about as good as the DMV https://t.co/kRdlL3idyF
Didn't get treatment even after complaining of chest pain
According to the victim's family, Sreekumar was taken to Gray Nuns Community Hospital at around 12.15 pm on December 22. He remained in the triage area from around 12.20 am to 8.50 pm and was repeatedly complaining of chest pain. His blood pressure reportedly rose to 210, yet he was given only Tylenol. The hospital dismissed the complaints, saying that the chest pain was not considered serious and a cardiac emergency was not suspected.
Hospital accused of delay in treatment
Sreekumar's father, Kumar Sreekumar, said his son had complained of chest pain. The family said the staff delayed treatment. When Sreekumar was finally taken to the treatment area, he collapsed within seconds and could not be saved.
His wife Niharika Sreekumar said, "He was asked to sit. He got up for a second and fell. He fainted and the nurse was heard saying I can't feel a pulse."
Foreign Ministry took cognizance of the matter
The Ministry of External Affairs has also taken cognizance of this matter and has urged the Canadian government to take responsibility for this matter. Prashant Sreekumar, father of three children, leaves behind his wife and children.
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