Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Friday reacted strongly to the death of a 44-year-old Indian-origin man in Canada, criticising the country’s healthcare system after the man allegedly waited for hours without proper treatment despite severe symptoms. Musk described the system as being “as good as the DMV,” referring to the widely criticised inefficiency of motor vehicle departments in the United States.
The man, identified as Prashant Sreekumar, a father of three, died on December 22 after suffering intense chest pain while at work in Edmonton. According to reports, a client drove him to Grey Nuns Hospital, where he was assessed, given an electrocardiogram and pain relief medication, and then asked to wait. Despite repeatedly complaining of worsening chest pain, he was reportedly told that there was nothing serious to be concerned about.
Musk responded to a post on X that highlighted the incident, writing, “When the government does medical care, it is about as good as the DMV.” His comment drew attention to long-standing criticism of public healthcare systems, particularly over delays and overcrowding in emergency departments.
Prashant’s condition deteriorated while he waited for treatment. After nearly eight hours in pain, he was finally taken in for emergency care. Moments later, he collapsed and died. A video circulating on social media shows his wife standing beside his body, visibly distressed, accusing the hospital of failing to provide timely medical assistance. In the video, she can be heard saying that the hospital’s inaction had led to her husband’s death.
Following the incident, Canadian health authorities said they could not comment on the specifics of the case due to patient confidentiality rules. However, they confirmed that the matter had been referred to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for further review.
Covenant Health, which oversees the Grey Nuns Hospital, issued a statement expressing condolences to the family. Karen Macmillan, Interim Chief Operating Officer for Acute and Primary Care, said the organisation deeply regretted the incident and emphasised that patient safety and care remained its top priority.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate over emergency care delays in Canada, particularly as the country continues to face strain on its healthcare system. Many have pointed to the incident as a tragic example of how overwhelmed hospitals and long waiting times can have fatal consequences, especially in cases involving cardiac emergencies.
