We are given the example of Canada for their public health system, but nothing is perfect.
The Fraser Institute’s 2025 report reveals that wait times remain near historic highs.
In 2025, the median wait from a General Practitioner (GP) referral to receiving treatment was 28.6 weeks. Patients are waiting an average of 18.1 weeks for an MRI and 8.8 weeks for a CT scan.Neurosurgery has the longest national median wait at 49.9 weeks, followed by orthopedic surgery at 48.6 weeks.
Staffing issues in ERs have led to tragic outcomes.
A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died of cardiac arrest at Community Hospital in Edmonton, Canada. The father of three was rushed to the ER after experiencing severe chest pain at work, but waited over 8 hours despite repeatedly reporting pain as “15 out of 10” and rising blood pressure.
Hospital staff performed an ECG, finding nothing significant, and provided only Tylenol. His father, Kumar Sreekumar, recalled his son saying, “Papa, I cannot bear the pain.” Moments after finally being called for treatment, Prashant collapsed and could not be revived.
The incident has sparked outrage over ER wait times in Alberta. Covenant Health expressed sympathy and confirmed the case is under review by the Chief Medical Examiner. Prashant leaves behind his wife and children aged 3, 10, and 14.
