MEA seeks accountability from Canada after Indian-origin man dies due to lack of treatment

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong response to the alleged medical negligence that led to the death of an Indian-origin man in Edmonton, Canada. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly press briefing on Friday that the deceased was of Indian origin but a Canadian citizen, so the Canadian government should take responsibility for the incident.

According to media reports, 44-year-old Prashant Srikumar experienced severe chest pain while at work on December 22nd and was taken to Grey Nuns Hospital in Edmonton. Despite complaining of severe pain, he was reportedly kept waiting for more than eight hours, during which time he died. Prashant was an accountant and the father of three children.

'Papa, I can't bear the pain'

According to the family, his ECG was done in the hospital, but the report was said to be normal and they were asked to wait. The family claims that he was given Tylenol for the pain and the nurses kept checking his blood pressure from time to time. According to Prashant's father Kumar Srikumar, when he was called for treatment after a long wait, within a few moments he got up from the chair, placed his hands on his chest and collapsed. According to reports, doctors were called, but by then it was too late and his death was said to be due to a heart attack. Prashant's family consists of his wife and three children, aged 3, 10 and 14 years.

Condolences also expressed over the shooting death of an Indian student

In the same briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs also expressed grief over the shooting death of an Indian student in Canada. According to the MEA, the Indian Embassy is in touch with the victim's family and all possible assistance is being provided. According to reports, the student has been identified as Shivank Awasthi, a PhD student at the University of Toronto. It was reported that his body was found near the Scarborough campus of the University of Toronto and the police are investigating it as a murder. The Ministry of External Affairs said that both the incidents are unfortunate and information is being gathered in coordination with the local authorities. After these incidents, questions have intensified regarding the safety and health services of the Indian community in Canada.