A family in Brazil is suing the city government of Rio de Janeiro after a woman died from Covid-19 just 22 days after giving birth. The case could be the first legal action in Brazil involving a maternal death linked to the virus
Lidiane Vieira Frazão, 35, was pregnant with her second child when the Covid-19 pandemic began. Despite being 40 weeks pregnant, she was unable to take maternity leave from her job as a funeral agent. Her role was listed as an essential service under a federal order from then-President Jair Bolsonaro
She was finally granted leave just days before giving birth. But even as she showed signs of illness, such as shortness of breath and a racing heart, her family said she was not tested for Covid-19. She was initially denied care at one hospital and only admitted at a second. After the birth, she returned home but continued to have trouble breathing
She later went to another hospital, where she waited 10 hours before receiving oxygen. Her condition worsened, and she soon fell into a coma. She died 22 days after giving birth. Her family says the state failed to give her proper medical care, leading to her death
The lawsuit names the municipal government of Rio de Janeiro as responsible for the healthcare facilities where Frazão sought treatment. Although the hospitals were federally funded, the city was in charge of managing them
Frazão’s family is asking for financial compensation, a lifelong pension for her children, and official recognition that the government was at fault. Her mother is now caring for her two grandsons with the children’s father
A group of lawyers, researchers, and activists is backing the legal action. They say the case reflects larger problems in Brazil’s public healthcare system, especially during the pandemic. Research showed Brazil had the highest number of maternal Covid-related deaths worldwide during the crisis, accounting for about 80% of global maternal deaths at one point
Anthropologist Débora Diniz, a professor at the University of Brasília, helped investigate the case. She found that many pregnant women in Brazil were refused care during the pandemic. Some were turned away from maternity wards because of Covid symptoms, and then sent back from general hospitals because they were pregnant
Delays in testing and a lack of medical guidance for pregnant women were major issues. The research team said these failures, along with government denial of the virus’s seriousness, contributed to many preventable deaths. The Bolsonaro administration promoted unproven treatments, rejected lockdowns, and failed to create special protection plans for pregnant women
Frazão’s family also believes her race was a factor. As a Black woman, her symptoms were dismissed. After giving birth, her breathing trouble was labeled as anxiety, and she was advised to seek mental health care instead of receiving further medical attention
They say this is a clear example of obstetric racism—a term used to describe the unequal treatment of Black women in pregnancy and childbirth. The organization Criola, which supports the case, noted that Afro-Brazilian women face double the risk of dying during pregnancy compared to white women
In 2011, Brazil was found responsible by the United Nations for the death of another Black woman, Alyne Pimentel Teixeira, who died while pregnant after being denied proper medical care. Activists say Brazil failed to follow the UN’s recommendations to prevent similar cases
Frazão’s family hopes this lawsuit will lead to change. They want the state to take responsibility and improve how pregnant women, especially Black women, are treated in public hospitals. Her mother and sisters say they are still grieving but want to make sure other families don’t suffer the same loss
The city government said the events happened under a previous administration and that it would work with the courts to clarify the matter. Hospital staff involved in the case have since been replaced
Frazão’s death is a painful reminder of the failures during the pandemic. Her family is now fighting to make sure her story leads to justice, reform, and a safer future for mothers across Brazil
