The recent television appearance by a group of Cuban doctors to "clarify" the case of the child Geobel Damir Ortiz Ramírez sparked a strong wave of outrage on social media, where citizens and healthcare professionals accused the doctors of lying and covering up a chain of negligence.
The child's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, reacted strongly to what was broadcast in the special program, calling the attempt to publicly blame her for her son's clinical evolution “cruel” and “dishonorable”.
"My son left Cuba in critical condition and is now breathing on his own thanks to the treatment he received in the United States," the mother stated, emphasizing that her son's health improved noticeably only after receiving medical care outside the island.
Social media, particularly the comments on the Facebook page of CiberCuba and on the state-run site Cubadebate, have reflected a growing number of critical voices that agree on one point: the healthcare system in Cuba is collapsing and has turned into a machine for cover-ups rather than providing medical care.
"I am a Cuban doctor, and lies are recorded in the medical records that the Ministry of Public Health itself requires to be included," a user denounced on Facebook. Another specialist expressed his frustration and shame at the behavior of his colleagues on television, accusing them of being untruthful and attempting to blame a desperate mother.
Damir's case has become a symbol of the deterioration of the Cuban healthcare system. Initially diagnosed with a type of leukemia he did not have and not receiving the appropriate treatment for a bacterial infection, his situation only began to improve after he left the country on a humanitarian visa.
"Those who justify, kill," wrote the exiled doctor Alexander Jesús Figueredo Izaguirre. In a viral message, he accused the doctors who participated in the appearance of being "spokespersons for power" and "walking propaganda" for a system that prioritizes ideology over human life. His message was echoed by hundreds of users who shared their outrage and demanded justice.
Citizens also reported unequal access to medications and treatments. "Everyone knows that you have to buy medications on the street, and sometimes they are more expensive than in Europe," commented an internet user.
Others questioned the hypocrisy of a system that boasts free healthcare while forcing patients to beg for supplies, bribe doctors, or wait indefinitely for surgery.
Even within the official platform of Cubadebate, the comments were mostly critical. A large number of users responded with sarcasm, pain, or indignation to those who staunchly defended the Cuban medical system. "Acknowledge that you failed as doctors. Damir is in good hands now," a commenter pleaded.
In parallel, several internet users questioned why it took so long to provide an official version of the case, and why fundamental details were omitted, such as the actual diagnosis and the type of treatment the child is currently receiving in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Damir continues his recovery outside of Cuba, away from the hospitals that, according to many testimonies, nearly cost him his life. What began as a mother's complaint on social media has ultimately revealed the more profound cracks in a healthcare system that no longer convinces even its own workers.
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