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Eliannis Ramírez, the mother of Cuban child Damir Ortiz, made a desperate appeal for help on social media due to her son's worsening health condition, as he requires medical attention outside of Cuba.
"Damir is dying on me, he is dying. Help please, help," wrote the Cuban mother on her Facebook profile, reflecting the anguish her family is going through. Ramírez reported that on the island, they are only treating the symptoms, but they have not been able to address the underlying cause of her son's declining health.
"Here, they can't do anything more for him; they are only treating the symptoms that keep appearing. They don't know the cause of all this deterioration, and they have no way to find out," the woman lamented. She accompanied her message with numerous crying and pleading emojis.
He emphasized that Damir urgently needs to leave Cuba to receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment at a hospital somewhere in the world. The post has been shared by many users on social media, rallying to spread the request and seek any alternative that would allow the child to regain his health.
The Cuban community, both on the island and abroad, has come together in solidarity with Eliannis Ramírez, working to raise awareness of the case and find an urgent solution to save the life of little Damir.
What is the case of Damir about?
The case of Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old Cuban boy suffering from plexiform neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), has generated significant international attention, even reaching the Spanish press due to the severity of his condition.
His physical condition worsens each day as he faces paralysis in his legs, partial blindness, and tumors affecting his spine. A hospital in Miami has agreed to follow up on his case.
The mother and Cuban activists made numerous efforts to request a humanitarian visa at the U.S. Embassy. Ramírez received a summary of the medical history from the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital, but not the specific letter required by the Embassy to grant the humanitarian visa.
The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) denied the letter, arguing that Cuba has the necessary resources to treat the minor, despite the evident medical shortages. The situation became more complicated when the U.S. Embassy rejected the visa application due to the lack of this document.
The child was transferred on February 13 to the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Havana, under strict State Security supervision. His health condition is becoming increasingly delicate each day.
The mother of Damir continues to demand a solution as the child's health deteriorates, receiving support from activists and public figures. A campaign on GoFundMe has raised nearly $32,000 to cover medical and travel expenses, but without the necessary visa, Damir cannot access the specialized treatment he needs.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of the Cuban child Damir Ortiz
What illness does Damir Ortiz suffer from?
Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old Cuban boy, suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1 and has a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, in addition to a possible leukemia under investigation. This condition has led to complications such as paralysis in his legs and partial blindness.
Why can't Damir receive proper treatment in Cuba?
Despite the fact that the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba claims to have the necessary resources, the mother of Damir and several activists have reported the lack of adequate treatments on the island. In Cuba, they do not have the advanced therapies needed to treat his condition, which has led to the search for medical care abroad.
What has prevented Damir from traveling to the United States for treatment?
Damir has not been able to travel to the United States because the U.S. Embassy in Havana denied him the humanitarian visa due to the lack of a letter of authorization from the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP). This letter is necessary to demonstrate that there are not enough resources in Cuba to treat his illness.
What actions have Damir's mother and the activists taken to help him?
Damir's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, along with activists, has undertaken numerous efforts to request a humanitarian visa, raised funds through a campaign on GoFundMe, and publicly denounced the lack of resources in the Cuban healthcare system. Additionally, they have called on the international community to push for a solution.
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