Damir Ortiz, a 10-year-old Cuban boy, remains in critical condition at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, after being transferred from Cuba via air ambulance on March 12.
His mother, Eliannis Ramírez, reported in an interview with Telemundo 51 that her son received incorrect treatment on the island, which worsened his condition.
According to the distressed mother, in Cuba her son was diagnosed with Burkitt leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can affect the brain and spinal cord.
However, doctors in the United States conducted tests and ruled out the disease: "It is negative for Burkitt lymphoma," the mother confirmed, noting that the diagnosis in Cuba was incorrect.
Ramírez also detailed the procedures his son underwent before being transferred to Miami: "On two occasions, he had a lumbar puncture, a diagnostic and therapeutic puncture. They removed cerebrospinal fluid and administered chemotherapy through his spinal column."
Furthermore, she reported that she never received clear explanations regarding the progressive deterioration of Damir's health: "No one ever explained to me why the boy couldn't see," she expressed.
The illness has left Damir in a paraplegic state, with no mobility from the waist down: "He has paraplegia, he has sensation from the waist up. He doesn't feel anything, he has relaxation of the sphincter, he has bowel movements and had to be catheterized," his mother explained.
Ramírez also blamed the Cuban healthcare system, stating that the doctors on the island had resigned to his son's fate without providing a real alternative for treatment.
"They declared Damir terminally ill and they considered him dead. Everything belongs to the same system, to the same bad government," he stated.
Despite the difficult situation, the mother remains hopeful for her son's improvement and expressed her deepest wish amid the uncertainty: "My dream is to see him, even if it's just sitting on the bed of that hospital."
The activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia reported this Monday that the chemotherapy treatment administered to the child Damir Ortiz in Cuba was not only incorrect, but also significantly worsened his health condition.
In a message posted on Facebook, Salcedo harshly criticized the medical decision, stating that “my heart was never wrong” and that he had warned on multiple occasions that that treatment was not appropriate.
Salcedo emphasized that Damir is in a recovery phase, although slow and complicated, due to the condition he arrived in.
The struggle of Salcedo was crucial to successfully transferring Damir from Cuba to the United States, where he is currently receiving quality medical care that has contributed to saving his life.
Damir Ortiz continues to improve favorably at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. It has recently been reported that doctors identified and treated a new bacteria in his body, while his lungs continue to show signs of improvement.
Moreover, it was revealed that the child does not have leukemia, as determined by the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana in February.
Frequently asked questions about the case of Damir Ortiz and the health situation in Cuba
What was the error in Damir Ortiz's diagnosis in Cuba?
In Cuba, Damir Ortiz was incorrectly diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. However, after being transferred to Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, tests ruled out this disease. This situation has highlighted the shortcomings in the diagnostic capabilities of the Cuban healthcare system.
How is Damir Ortiz's health currently?
Damir Ortiz is in critical but stable condition at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. He is responding positively to the specialized medical treatments he is receiving in the United States. His mother holds on to hope for his recovery, despite the health complications he has faced.
What role has Cuban civil society played in the case of Damir Ortiz?
The Cuban civil society has been instrumental in Damir's transfer to the United States. Thanks to the mobilization and fundraising efforts of activists and citizens both inside and outside of Cuba, the air ambulance flight was financed and the bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the Cuban and American governments were overcome.
What criticisms has the Cuban healthcare system received following the case of Damir?
The case of Damir Ortiz has generated strong criticism of the Cuban healthcare system. The regime has been accused of medical negligence and failing to provide proper diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, bureaucracy and a lack of resources have been pointed out as factors preventing patients from receiving the necessary care.
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