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The Cuban doctor Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, who has tirelessly worked for the health of the child Damir Ortiz Ramírez, announced this Wednesday that the little one will begin receiving, for the first time since his arrival at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, his chemotherapy treatment with doxorubicin, one of the most powerful medications used in this type of therapy.
According to the specialist in a Facebook post, this decision was made due to the favorable clinical progress that the child has shown in the last few hours.
Before starting the treatment, a bone marrow aspiration (medulogram) is being performed to assess his condition.
Doxorubicin, Ruano explained, is a drug derived from the bacterium Streptomyces peucetius and is used in the treatment of various types of cancer.
However, it was reported that this medication was never provided to Damir in Cuba, despite their demands.
According to the authorities at the Institute of Hematology, the administration of doxorubicin "was not necessary in the initial phase of the chemotherapy" received on the island.
The doctor suggests that, beyond a medical issue, the medication was simply not available at that time in Cuba.
“Thank God, Damir is in good hands,” wrote Ruano Sánchez, expressing his relief and happiness at this new step in the child's treatment.
Eliannis Ramírez, mother of Damir Ortiz, shared a heartbreaking message about her son's situation this Tuesday on her Facebook account.
In a post accompanied by photos of the toy cars that Damir loves so much, the mother expressed her deep sadness and despair at facing the possibility that her son may have lost his sight irreversibly.
"I look at these little carts and it fills me with immense and profound sadness, because although I want to be as positive as possible, I'm not oblivious to the reality that they ruined my child's eyesight and life. The ophthalmologist says he doesn’t believe Damir will ever see again, and that's where I look at this and it breaks me," Ramírez wrote.
Damir, who is 10 years old, has always dreamed of traveling to the "country of toys," and in January he confessed to his mother that he hoped to celebrate his 11th birthday in the United States.
Today, his future is uncertain due to the incorrect treatment he received in Cuba: "My strong little boy, if I have to donate one of my eyes, my retina, my cornea, whatever it takes for you to see your little cars, I will do it, rest assured."
Recently, 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, her son was diagnosed in Cuba with Burkitt's leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can affect the brain and spinal cord.
However, the doctors in the United States conducted tests and ruled out the disease: "It is negative for Burkitt leukemia", the mother confirmed, indicating that the diagnosis in Cuba was incorrect.
Frequently asked questions about the case of Damir Ortiz and his medical treatment in the U.S.
Why didn't Damir Ortiz receive the medication doxorubicin in Cuba?
Damir Ortiz did not receive doxorubicin in Cuba because the authorities at the Hematology Institute deemed it unnecessary in the initial phase of his chemotherapy treatment. However, Dr. Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez suggests that the real reason was the lack of availability of the medication in the country.
What was Damir's initial diagnosis in Cuba and how did it change in the United States?
Initially, Damir was diagnosed in Cuba with Burkitt lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. However, after additional tests at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, this diagnosis was ruled out and it was confirmed that Damir does not have leukemia.
What health complications is Damir Ortiz facing due to the incorrect treatment received in Cuba?
Damir is facing several health complications, such as irreversible vision loss, paraplegia, and the presence of bacteria acquired in the hospital. His health condition worsened due to the incorrect chemotherapy treatment he received in Cuba. He is currently receiving appropriate medical care in the United States.
How was Damir's transfer from Cuba to the United States arranged for medical treatment?
Damir's transfer to the United States was made possible thanks to the efforts of his mother, activists, and the Cuban community, who raised funds and overcame bureaucratic obstacles to obtain a humanitarian visa and arrange for an air ambulance. The Cuban regime initially denied the transfer, but social pressure and solidarity allowed Damir to receive the necessary treatment in Miami.
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