Related videos:
A desperate Cuban mother in Havana has turned to social media to seek help amid the challenging situation of her daughter, a three-year-old girl who suffers from multiple food allergies, a condition that drastically limits what she can eat and severely impacts her quality of life.
Malvis Cruz, mother of little Adiren, shared a moving story on Facebook explaining the daily challenges of living with this disease in Cuba, where the necessary resources to treat it are unavailable.
"Hello, my name is Adiren and I am a 3-year-old girl who needs help, as I suffer from a chronic illness called Multiple Food Allergies, and in my country (Cuba) there is no better quality of life for me," begins the post by Cruz, written from the perspective of his daughter.
Since her birth, Adiren's life has been marked by medical complications: she was separated from her mother at birth due to issues during delivery, and in the early days, she was fed regular milk, which, according to her mother, caused damage to her stomach and intestines.
"First, I was lactose intolerant, and then I became intolerant to all foods containing beef protein," the post explains.
Throughout her early years, the little girl developed new intolerances and allergies, including gluten, eggs, legumes, fish, shellfish, and an endless list of foods that are part of a normal diet.
Her mother recounts how, without immediately identifying what was causing her harm, the foods she consumed gradually destroyed her digestive system, leaving her in a vulnerable condition.
Adiren also cannot consume foods that contain preservatives, colorings, or common allergens, which practically excludes all processed food.
The little girl suffered an anaphylactic shock that endangered her life, along with multiple severe intoxications that required hospital care.
According to her mother, the girl also faces secondary problems stemming from her condition, such as chronic anemia due to the poor absorption of essential nutrients in her intestine and gastritis.
Due to these limitations, Adiren relies on specialized medications and supplements that are not available in Cuba.
For example, you need to take a syrup called cetirizine, an antihistamine essential for managing your allergic reactions; however, this medication, along with vitamins and gluten-free supplements without allergens, is not available in Cuba.
Adiren also requires special products such as toothpaste, shampoos, creams, and soaps that are allergen-free, which are difficult to find in their environment.
In their post, Cruz and her husband explain that they have reached a point of desperation and are asking for help from anyone who can contribute with food, supplements, or medical supplies to enable their daughter to lead a more dignified life.
The family explains how, in other countries, there are options to treat this illness, but in Cuba, they lack the resources and access to the necessary products to ensure their well-being.
“Mom and Dad are so desperate that they want to share my story so you can understand the complexity of my situation,” says the post.
Additionally, they express gratitude to those who have already helped as much as they could, but emphasize that their daughter's situation remains critical and that they need ongoing support.
"This is my story, and there are not many cases like mine in my country. My family is shouting to the world for help for me, desperately," concludes the mother's message, appealing to the solidarity of those who can lend a helping hand.
In Cuba, where even a healthy person faces a true ordeal to obtain food and nourish themselves properly, the situation for a girl with severe food allergies becomes nearly unsustainable.
At the beginning of the year, a Cuban mother took to social media to criticize the government, stating that the chocolate mix intended for children lacks sugar and milk, an essential ingredient for their nutrition, and that the regime is unable to provide in the regulated basic basket.
Rodríguez Abreu expressed his outrage in the "Cuban Fighter Mothers" group on Facebook, where he stated that he had just purchased the "famous" chocolate mix and discovered that it "strongly suggests it contains neither sugar nor milk".
Frequently Asked Questions about the Health Situation and Resources in Cuba
How does the resource scarcity in Cuba affect children with special medical conditions?
The shortage of resources in Cuba severely affects children with special medical conditions, as it limits access to the necessary medications and treatments for their well-being. Families face extreme difficulties in obtaining essential medical supplies and products, putting the health and lives of minors at risk.
What resources does Adiren, the girl with multiple food allergies in Cuba, need?
Adiren, the Cuban girl with multiple food allergies, needs specialized medications and supplements such as cetirizine, an essential antihistamine, as well as vitamins and allergen-free products that are not available in Cuba. Additionally, she requires basic items like toothpaste, shampoos, and soaps that are free of allergens.
Why is the food situation in Cuba critical for children?
The food situation in Cuba is critical for children due to the shortage of basic foods such as milk, which is not distributed properly, and the lack of resources for special diets. This is exacerbated by the economic crisis, which leads families to resort to dangerous practices such as using instant drinks as sweeteners.
What is the Cuban government's response to the health and food crisis?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the shortage of medications and food; however, the response has been insufficient to resolve the crisis. Authorities often blame the U.S. embargo, but many citizens criticize poor management and resource prioritization as the main causes of the current situation.
Filed under: