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A Cuban family has reported the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) for refusing to provide the necessary authorization for the 10-year-old boy Damir Ortíz Ramírez, who has been diagnosed with type 1 neurofibromatosis (eye cancer), to obtain a humanitarian visa and receive medical treatment in the United States.
The mother, Eliannis Ramírez, stated in a broadcast on that, although the management of the "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric Hospital in Havana claims to have the resources to treat her child, she has not observed any improvements in her son and criticizes the shortcomings of the island's healthcare system.
In the video published by the activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, Ramírez recounted that, after meeting with several doctors at the hospital, he was denied the necessary letter to present at the embassy and requested help from anyone interested in the case.
“It is my right to leave Cuba and seek assistance. My son is in a hospital bed, unable to walk or feel his legs,” the mother expressed amidst her despair.
"I need to have other opinions about my son's health. It is my right, and I demand that it be respected," he added.
According to a campaign by GoFundMe created by Salcedo Verdecia herself, a hospital in Miami is willing to treat the child, and the costs of the treatment and travel total $40,000.
Social media users have expressed their support for the minor and are urging the head of MINSAP, Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda, to issue the letter that would allow for the processing of the humanitarian visa at the United States Embassy in Havana.
This denial contrasts with previous statements from officials at MINSAP, who have acknowledged the right of families to seek medical care abroad.
This case brings to mind that of the child Cristian Miguel Bencomo in 2023, whose parents reported the delays by MINSAP in providing the necessary documentation for his treatment abroad. The minor passed away in Cuba while awaiting a liver transplant that never took place.
Frequently asked questions about the situation of child Damir Ortíz and the healthcare system in Cuba
Why is Damir Ortíz's Cuban family denouncing MINSAP?
The Cuban family of Damir Ortíz is denouncing the MINSAP for refusing to provide the necessary authorization for the child, diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (ocular cancer), to obtain a humanitarian visa and receive medical treatment in the United States. The MINSAP has not issued the required letter to process the humanitarian visa, despite a hospital in Miami being willing to treat the child and a campaign having been launched to raise the necessary funds.
What resources does the Cuban healthcare system have to treat cases like Damir's?
According to the management of the "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric Hospital in Havana, they claim to have the resources to treat Damir Ortíz, but the child's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, has reported that she has not seen improvements in her son and criticizes the shortcomings of the healthcare system in Cuba. In Cuba, treatment for such cases is limited and sometimes non-existent, forcing families to seek alternatives abroad.
What is the current health status of Damir Ortíz?
Damir Ortíz is currently admitted to the intensive care unit of the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana. He is experiencing renal damage and suffers from inflammation in both eyes, which further complicates his medical situation. His condition is critical, and the family is desperately seeking an updated medical diagnosis and effective treatment options.
What support has Damir Ortíz's family received for his treatment abroad?
Damir Ortíz's family has received support through a fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform, organized by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia. The goal is to raise $40,000 to cover the treatment and travel to the United States, where a hospital in Miami has agreed to treat the child. Additionally, users on social media have expressed their support for the minor and are urging MINSAP to issue the necessary letter for the visa.
What other similar cases have occurred in Cuba recently?
The case of Damir Ortíz is not the only one in Cuba where families face bureaucratic obstacles to obtain treatments abroad. Recently, there have been reported cases such as that of Cristian Miguel Bencomo, who passed away while awaiting a liver transplant, and Cristopher Olivera Santos, who lost his humanitarian visa due to bureaucratic delays. These situations reflect the challenges faced by Cuban families due to the shortcomings of the country's healthcare system.
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