Bulgaria's Health Minister, Stefan Konstantinov, stated Wednesday that the Sofia Sheinovo maternity ward is to be blamed for the tragic double death of a mother and her baby.

Konstantinov pointed out relatives, who insist the woman was sent back and forth, before being finally admitted in the hospital are right in their accusations.

The woman, Nadezhda Uzunova, 35, went to the hospital several times and was sent back with the doctor on duty saying she did not "yet have the required signs for being ready to give birth."

"This is a mistake of the maternity ward. This is a serious case. The probe there was started several hours after Uzunova died and so far we can say the doctors are at fault," the Minister stressed.

An autopsy had already been done, but several more tests are needed to establish the exact cause of death. The results are expected to be ready within a week. All documentation and tapes from the video cameras are also being examined.

Konstantinov vowed severe sanctions for those responsible, adding the current ones are inadequate and must be increased.

"In an earlier death of a pregnant woman, Sheinovo was fined BGN 1 500 – this is ridiculous. The fine must be increased ten times in similar incidents," according to the Minister.

A total of three probes – from the Medical Audit, the Regional Health Inspectorate, and the Prosecutor's office, are taking place in the maternity ward over the November 21 death of the mother. They aim at establishing the exact circumstances in the case.

Nadezhda died just minutes after being admitted in the hospital, while the baby was placed on a respirator, but also died the next day.

The authorities have started pre-trial proceedings for reckless murder.

The husband vowed to sue Sheinovo for murder. Nadezha also left behind a 2-year-old girl.

The Director of the maternity ward, Dr. Ivan Kostov, said the real reason for the double-death will become known only after the conclusion of the probes.

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