On November 7, several thousand citizens gathered in Ulcinj to protest the death of Drita Tafa, a mother from the city, located in southern Montenegro.

During the protest, attendees demanded from the authorities transparency regarding the circumstances that led to her death, chanting, “We will need the truth for the drill.”

Ejup Zotović, the brother of the deceased, who was 35 years old and a mother of three, stated, “We don’t want any more mothers to suffer such a fate and leave this world by mistake.”

He expressed hope that his sister’s death would be the last such incident at the hospital in Bar.

Drita Tafa was admitted to the hospital in Bar on September 13 and passed away a month later at the Clinical Center of Montenegro.

On November 5, the State Prosecutor’s Office in Podgorica initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and ordered the exhumation of her body.

The Tafa family has also initiated legal proceedings against a doctor at the Bar hospital.

Additionally, in another incident on September 10, a 20-year-old woman named Asmir Aljošević was transferred to intensive care after experiencing severe complications following delivery at the Bar hospital.

Both families suspect negligence on the part of the medical staff at the Bar hospital.

On November 6, Igor Karišik, the director of the Bar hospital, stated that the quality control commission concluded that all medical protocols were followed during treatment.

Following concerns regarding the hospital’s management, Bukrija Aljošević, the mother of the aforementioned patient, raised her voice.

“I ask the director of the Bar hospital, if there was no medical mistake, then why was my daughter in a coma for 22 days? Why were organs removed? Why was her condition so critical that she required three surgeries within 12 hours?” Aljošević questioned.

She demanded answers from the authorities, emphasizing that her daughter had always been in good health.

“The doctors claim they acted diligently, but I want to know where their conscience is. I urge the competent authorities to address our questions,” Aljošević said.

Protesters carried banners with messages such as “Mr. Spajić, Ulcinj is seeking the truth!” and “Ulcinj won’t forgive you; I won’t be the next victim.”

Civic activist Almedin Dodic remarked that citizens are demanding accountability and justice:

“They need to understand that we will no longer turn a blind eye. We want to believe that they will take these cases seriously and take action to restore confidence in the health system.”

Dodic emphasized that the citizens of Ulcinj would not relent until they receive answers.

He recalled the tragedy of his wife, Iyle Hot, who passed away in the hospital in Podgorica two days after giving birth in Bar three years ago. She was only 26 years old and also a mother of three.

Zlatan Hot, recalling his family’s ordeal, stated that they are experiencing what the Tafa family is going through now.

“We endured endless investigations by the Ministry of Health, the Higher Prosecution, exhumations, autopsies, and scrutiny from various media and politicians – all done under inhumane and degrading conditions. We only received our findings two years later, and we completely reject them,” Hot expressed.

He added that they would seek justice “outside of Montenegro” for their wife’s case.

The President of the Municipality of Ulcinj, Genci Nimanbega, criticized the state authorities for what he described as years of neglect towards the maternity ward in Ulcinj.

“This marks the highest point of discontent in Ulcinj’s history. Unfortunately, we have been compelled to protest. We have been calling for improvements to our maternity services for years. We want a healthcare system that meets the standards of a hospital,” Nimanbega asserted.

According to him, the state must heed the demands of Ulcinj’s citizens and take decisive action regarding both cases.

On November 6, the Ministry of Health announced the formation of a commission, led by Minister Vojislav Simun, involving actors from regional and European Union countries, to investigate the circumstances surrounding Drita Tafa’s death.

The citizen gathering in Ulcinj was organized by local women’s NGOs, including the SOS hotline for women and children victims of violence.

As of the 2023 census, Ulcinj has a population of nearly 24,000 residents.

This significant tourist destination, and the southernmost municipality in Montenegro, only has healthcare services at the level of a health center. The nearest hospital is located in Bar, about thirty miles away.

According to official data, in 2023, Ulcinj attracted almost 240,000 tourists.