Albania's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has responded following the death of 37-year-old pregnant woman Marjana Karolina Bunaj from Pogradec, who died while being transported to Tirana for specialized medical treatment.
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| The building of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Albania, which ordered an independent assessment following the death of 37-year-old pregnant Marjana Karolina Bunaj during transfer to Tirana. |
She died while being transported toward Tirana, with her condition reportedly deteriorating near Elbasan.
The circumstances surrounding her death are now being reviewed by the relevant authorities.
Ministry orders full and independent assessment
In an official statement, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare expressed its deep condolences to Bunaj's family and said that all stages related to the treatment and management of the case are being reviewed and verified.
The ministry said it has requested a full and independent assessment of how the case was managed, covering the entire process of medical care from the moment the patient arrived for treatment until the end of the medical intervention.
The ministry emphasized that the purpose of the assessment is to ensure a professional and impartial review of the circumstances surrounding the case.
“Our commitment is complete to guarantee transparency and accountability,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, any findings from the review will be examined with the utmost seriousness. If irregularities or shortcomings are identified in the management of the case, the authorities say that all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with the law and professional standards.
Maternal safety under scrutiny
The ministry stressed that maternal safety and timely, quality obstetric care are non-negotiable responsibilities of the country's healthcare system.
The statement comes as questions remain over the circumstances surrounding Bunaj's death during her transfer from Pogradec toward Tirana.
At this stage, however, the official cause of death has not been established. A medical-forensic examination and the ongoing review are expected to provide further information about what happened and whether any shortcomings occurred during the patient's treatment or transfer.
The ministry's decision to request an independent assessment indicates that authorities are seeking to establish a complete account of the medical management of the case before drawing conclusions about responsibility.
Ocnal.com will continue to follow the investigation and publish further information as it becomes officially available.