Damir Ortiz, the Cuban boy who was urgently transferred to the United States after receiving an incorrect diagnosis in Cuba, is showing signs of improvement at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.
His mother, Eliannis Ramírez, shared details about his progress during a live broadcast, where she expressed her relief over the improvements in the child's health, although she warned that the recovery process will be lengthy.
During a broadcast on Facebook Live, Ramírez, accompanied by the activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who was one of the key individuals in the processing of the humanitarian visa and the child's relocation, reported that Damir has responded well to the treatment and has managed to stabilize.
"She is fighting and continues to improve," said the mother, emphasizing that the doctors have managed to control her inflammation and keep her vital signs stable.
According to the explanation, Damir has started receiving Nutren Junior, a nutritional formula administered every six hours, with a dosage that has been gradually increasing until reaching 64 milliliters.
Furthermore, he no longer has a fever, and his body has managed to stabilize the production of white blood cells and platelets, which were at critical levels in Cuba: "They are no longer those platelets of 2, 3, or 5 that wouldn't go above 10."
Another positive sign of his progress is that he has not required new transfusions of red blood cells or platelets, something that was previously essential for his survival: "His hemoglobin remains at over 8, and he was only transfused on the first day."
The mother also highlighted that the child is more alert and aware, which indicates cognitive and emotional improvement.
He recounted that in a recent conversation, Damir immediately reacted upon hearing that his mother planned to give some of his toys to his brother in Cuba: “I thought he was asleep, but when I mentioned the cars, he started shaking his head no,” he shared with a laugh.
However, Ramírez explained that Damir is still facing a significant challenge in his recovery, as doctors have identified the presence of hospital-acquired bacteria, specifically Klebsiella and Enterobacter cloacae, which are affecting his body.
According to the specialists, these bacteria are typically found in hospital settings with poor hygiene conditions and can be acquired through inadequately sterilized medical instruments.
Despite these challenges, the mother assured that the child is receiving the appropriate antibiotics to combat the infection and that his recovery is progressing positively.
He highlighted the quality of medical care he receives in Miami, noting that he always has access to detailed information about his health: “Here, they show you everything. You don’t have to wait hours for a result. Everything is recorded, and the doctors and nurses give you their phone numbers for any questions.”
In the broadcast, both Ramírez and Salcedo Verdecia expressed their gratitude for the support received from the community and emphasized the importance of the assistance provided for the child's treatment.
Ramírez also announced that, to generate income while caring for her son in the hospital, she will open an online store and begin working as a Medicaid consultant in the United States.
"I'm going to start selling my products and working from the hospital while taking care of my children," she explained, asking for support to share and promote her initiative.
At the end of the broadcast, Damir's mother asked everyone to continue praying for her son and reiterated her hope that he will keep recovering. “Despite his delicate condition, he has improved and continues to get better. He is a fighter and will get through this,” she concluded.
This Tuesday, in a poignant and heartbreaking statement, Ramírez admitted that the Cuban regime had given up on his son.
"They wrote off Damir and declared him dead. Everything belongs to the same system, to the same bad government," he stated.
In the same vein, activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia reported this Monday that the chemotherapy treatment administered in Cuba was not only incorrect, but also significantly worsened her health condition.
In a message posted on Facebook, Salcedo sharply criticized the medical decision, stating that "my heart was never wrong" and that he had warned multiple times that this treatment was not appropriate.
An important moment in this new stage of Damir's life began last Sunday when the family was notified that the 10-year-old boy does not have leukemia, as he was diagnosed with at the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Havana in February.
According to his mother, his son underwent new tests that completely ruled out the diagnosis of Burkitt leukemia.
"Damir, negative for Burkitt's leukemia diagnosis, is confirmed; he does not have that type of leukemia. We continue, because where there is a will, there is a way, and hope remains intact. Thank you, God, soon my son will have a proper diagnosis and quality treatment," expressed Ramírez on .
Frequently Asked Questions about Damir Ortiz's Medical Progress in the United States
What is the current health status of Damir Ortiz?
Damir Ortiz shows signs of improvement at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. His mother has reported that he has responded well to treatment and has managed to stabilize, although the recovery process will be lengthy. The doctors have succeeded in controlling his inflammation and maintaining stable vital signs.
What is the current diagnosis of Damir Ortiz?
Damir does not have leukemia as was incorrectly diagnosed in Cuba. His mother confirmed that tests conducted in the United States ruled out the diagnosis of Burkitt's leukemia. Damir suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1, which led to the development of a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, and he faces other health complications.
What has been the response of the Cuban community to Damir's situation?
The Cuban community has shown great support in the situation of Damir Ortiz. Thanks to the mobilization of activists and citizens, funds were raised for his transfer to Miami and to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles to obtain a humanitarian visa. This effort has been crucial for Damir to receive the necessary medical attention.
What health problems is Damir Ortiz currently facing?
Damir Ortiz is facing several health issues, including neurofibromatosis type 1, kidney damage, and a significant drop in platelets and hemoglobin. Recently, the presence of hospital-acquired bacteria was discovered in his body, specifically Klebsiella and Enterobacter cloacae, which are being treated with appropriate antibiotics.
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