A devastating tragedy has unfolded in Mato Grosso, leaving a father without his wife and firstborn son. The Civil Police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Andra da Conceição and her baby, Pedro Miguel, following their admission to the Unidade de Pronto Atendimento (UPA) in Tangará da Serra. The infant passed away on April 5th, and his mother succumbed 12 days later, prompting a formal inquiry and an investigation by the state's Public Ministry (MPMT).
The case was brought to light by the grieving father, Crenival Rodrigues Ferreira, who had been with his partner for five years. He described the agonizing wait for care after his wife began experiencing labor pains in the early hours of April 5th. According to his account, after initial triage, a significant delay occurred. He alleges the on-duty physician took photos of his wife's genitalia and sent them to a gynecologist who was on a break, while his wife was left waiting in a wheelchair in a corridor. The municipal Health Secretary, Angela Belizário, has denied any negligence, stating the UPA was operating with reinforced staff due to a regional flu outbreak.
Frustrated by the lack of a specialist's attention, Crenival made the decision to transfer his wife to a private hospital. There, an emergency cesarean section was performed, but the baby was born without vital signs. Two days later, the mother underwent further tests and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). She remained in a medically induced coma for 12 days before losing her fight for life.
The tragedy has cast a spotlight on a troubling pattern in the region. Data from the national health database, DataSUS, reveals that in 2025 alone, there were 17 cases of preventable deaths of newborns and fetuses in Tangará da Serra hospitals. The statistics show a consistent trend over recent years, with the majority of these avoidable tragedies occurring within the private healthcare network.
Following the public outcry over Crenival's story, other women have come forward with similar, though less fatal, experiences at the same UPA. One mother, who gave birth on April 15th, reported being sent home repeatedly with pain medication despite being 39 weeks pregnant with contractions. She ultimately sought care in another city, where she was found to be already dilated and delivered her baby safely.
Another account from June 2023 details a pregnant woman at 40 weeks with regular contractions being diagnosed with no dilation and told to return later for induction. Suspicious, her family took her to a different hospital where her water broke, revealing contaminated fluid. Doctors later told her that a delay of just 40 more minutes could have resulted in a stillbirth or a life-threatening infection for both mother and child.
These collective testimonies paint a grim picture of systemic issues in maternal and neonatal care at the facility. While authorities investigate the specific case of Andra and Pedro Miguel, the father's plea echoes the fears of many: "I won't be able to bring my wife and son back, but I hope this doesn't happen to other parents." The investigation continues as the community demands answers and accountability.
Based on reporting from g1.