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The mother of Damir Ortiz, Eliannis Ramírez, whose health situation has raised significant concern among the Cuban community, again denounced this Saturday the manipulation by health authorities in collusion with the state-run press regarding the medical shortages her son faced during his hospitalization in Havana.
Recently, in a program aired by Cuban state television, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) defended the care provided to the child Damir Ortiz at the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital, and blamed the mother for interfering in the child's treatment.
Through his Facebook account, Ramírez criticized the official version and refuted Dr. Araiz Consuegra, who stated that Ortiz had access to all the necessary medications.
"I see her and see her again, and I tell myself (how I wish I could have been there to defend myself for God's sake). What a bunch of shameless and deceitful people!” Ramírez stated in his brief text.
The mother refuted the statement made by Dr. Araís Consuegra, when she indicated that her son did not lack any medication. “How many people had to even bring me a thermometer, vancomycin, tramadol, gauze, and even laxatives so that Damir could have a bowel movement,” she wrote in her post.
Ramírez took the opportunity to also accuse the Cuban health authorities of negligence and acting with impunity: "#Minsap, you know I'm right, they are hired killers, they will pay. Cuba and the world already know, and it is forbidden to forget what they did to my son Damir", he stated.
In the televised appearance, Cuban officials and doctors claimed that all medical decisions regarding the child - who after an intense social media campaign was transferred to a hospital in Miami in extremely critical condition - "were made by consensus" and that the "priority has always been the child's well-being."
In his statement, MINSAP assured that the refusal to perform a biopsy was a decision made by the family, not by the doctors.
A hospital spokesperson emphasized that "it is not a miracle that the child is currently better; it is the expected outcome of properly administering the specific oncological treatment and having the right support for palliative care in Cuba."
They also mentioned that, in relation to the criticism regarding the lack of treatment, it was a complex situation where "opportunities were lost" due to the mother's refusal to allow certain procedures.
The activist Diasniurka Salcedo, who helped transfer the patient out of Cuba, commented that the child had been ill for years and that his condition had worsened due to a lack of timely care.
He recalled that MINSAP did not timely release a letter nor the necessary documents for the U.S. Embassy in Havana to grant the family a humanitarian visa, and only did so when the child's health had deteriorated to a critical point.
The case of Damir Ortiz has sparked outrage on social media, with users who question the official version and condemn the healthcare crisis in Cuba.
The situation in Cuban hospitals has been a subject of recurring criticism in recent years, with testimonies from patients and their families reporting a lack of medications, specialized staff, and adequate care conditions.
In response to the controversy generated, Eliannis Ramírez will hold a press conference at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora in Miami, where he will present evidence to refute the statements made by Cuban doctors on state television. The event will take place on Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the museum's location, situated at 1200 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Damir Ortiz and the health situation in Cuba
Why does Damir Ortiz's mother denounce the Cuban healthcare system?
Eliannis Ramírez, mother of Damir Ortiz, denounces the Cuban healthcare system for having misdiagnosed her son with leukemia and providing him with inappropriate treatment that worsened his health condition. She accuses the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) of negligence and acting with impunity, demanding justice for the mishandling of her son's case, who ultimately received appropriate treatment in a hospital in Miami.
What deficiencies did Damir Ortiz face during his hospitalization in Cuba?
During his hospitalization in Cuba, Damir Ortiz faced multiple medical shortages, including the lack of essential medications such as vancomycin and tramadol, as well as basic supplies like thermometers and gauze. Damir's mother claims that these deficiencies complicated his health condition, which resulted in his transfer to a hospital in Miami, where he received an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
What do the Cuban health authorities say about the case of Damir Ortiz?
Cuban health authorities, through MINSAP, defend the care provided to Damir Ortiz, stating that medical decisions were made by consensus and that the priority was always the child's well-being. They argue that the family was responsible for declining certain procedures, such as a biopsy, and that the correct treatment was administered in Cuba, despite criticism regarding the lack of resources and adequate care.
How has the international community responded to the case of Damir Ortiz?
The case of Damir Ortiz has generated a wave of solidarity both within and outside of Cuba. The international community, along with Cuban activists, has raised funds and advocated for the child to be transferred to the United States, where he received the necessary treatment. The case has highlighted the crisis in the Cuban healthcare system and has drawn more attention to the lack of adequate medical care on the island.
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