The Cuban boy Damir Ortiz Ramírez, diagnosed with type 1 neurofibromatosis, a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, as well as acute leukemia, has raised funds to pay for an air ambulance to reach the United States for life-saving medical treatment.
According to a statement made during a broadcast on Facebook by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, the solidarity of Cubans has raised $45,848, surpassing the $41,800 needed to secure the service under appropriate conditions for the child.
In just a few hours, Cubans in Cuba, the United States, and other parts of the world raised the full amount of funds needed for the boy and his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, to travel to the United States by Tuesday at the latest.
"To want is to be able to, thank you. Proud of the Cubans and the world. Thank you," stated the Cuban activist, who had mentioned that the singer known as La Diosa had shared the request for help for Damir.
According to Dr. Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, president of the Cuban Free Medical Guild, the contract with the medical system that will provide the ambulance is set to be signed on Monday, and by Tuesday, it could already be headed to the hospital in Miami, Florida, which has agreed to treat Damir.
According to Salcedo, only one piece of information needs to be provided by the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba to finalize the contract for the ambulance.
"We are kindly asking them to provide us with all the information we need to finalize that contract so that the transfer can be allowed, and they are turning a deaf ear," Salcedo reported.
Soon after, however, he stated that the Cuban authorities had issued the document.
The little boy, whose condition has worsened in recent months, received a humanitarian visa to treat his illness in the United States.
This Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Cuba informed the infant's mother that the parole had been approved.
The family had already applied for a humanitarian visa for the child, but the embassy had denied it because the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) had not provided the required documentation.
The efforts of Eliannis Ramírez and Cuban activists who continued to appeal to the international community and U.S. authorities for Damir to gain access to the urgent medical care he needs were not in vain.
This Saturday, the mother held the visa stamped in her passport to receive medical care in another country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of the Cuban Child Damir Ortiz
How did Damir Ortiz manage to raise the necessary funds for the air ambulance transfer to the U.S.?
The Cuban community, both on the island and abroad, raised $45,848 in less than 24 hours thanks to a solidarity campaign driven by activists and supported by public figures such as the singer La Diosa. This amount exceeds the $41,800 needed for transfer in a high-quality air ambulance.
What illnesses does Damir Ortiz suffer from and why is his transfer to the U.S. urgent?
Damir Ortiz suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1, a plexiform neurofibroma in the right eye, and acute leukemia. His health condition is critical and requires specialized treatment that is not available in Cuba, making his transfer to a hospital in Miami that has agreed to treat him urgent.
What obstacles did Damir's family face in obtaining the U.S. humanitarian visa?
Damir's family faced bureaucratic obstacles due to the refusal of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) to provide the necessary documentation for the humanitarian visa. Finally, the U.S. Embassy granted the visa after receiving the required documentation, allowing Damir to travel for urgent medical treatment.
What role have activists and the international community played in the case of Damir Ortiz?
Cuban and international activists have been fundamental in raising funds and putting pressure on the authorities to facilitate Damir's transfer. Their collective effort has been crucial in overcoming the bureaucratic barriers imposed by the Cuban government and obtaining the necessary humanitarian visa.
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