Damir Ortiz, the Cuban boy whose story has touched thousands both on the island and abroad, continues to fight a hard battle for his life in the United States. His delicate health status has been recently updated by the Cuban activist Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who also launched an emotional call for solidarity, asking for a prayer chain for the young boy, amid growing criticism of the Cuban healthcare system and attacks from pro-regime sectors.
According to the activist, the child is stable despite his serious condition, but is fighting against an extremely aggressive bacteria that he contracted in Cuba. "The illness itself is not the biggest problem right now; it's the bacteria, folks. A very strong bacteria," she noted.
He explained that Damir arrived with two bacteria, and although he has received all possible care in the U.S., one of them poses a serious threat to his stability and clinical progress.
In the midst of this scenario, Salcedo called for a global prayer chain for Damir, which will take place this Thursday at seven in the evening. Originally scheduled to be held at the Ermita de la Caridad del Cobre, the activist reported that the location will be closed due to an unforeseen event.
"We were compelled to go to the public parks of Mercy, and we will be in the bay in front of Mercy Hospital, and we will be there until 8:00," she detailed.
I reiterated that everyone who can attend will be welcomed and appreciated. "The child is in need of this chain of prayer,” she insisted, feeling emotional.
Salcedo referred again to the attacks from websites aligned with the Cuban government, which have attempted to discredit the humanitarian support that Damir has received and the work of those who have accompanied him.
“Negative energy, gentlemen, is very harmful”, he warned in response to the smear campaign that, as in previous cases, seeks to divert attention from the responsibilities of the Cuban state in such tragedies.
Damir, diagnosed with type 1 neurofibromatosis and a plexiform neurofibroma in the right eye, in addition to acute leukemia, arrived in Miami on March 12 to receive specialized medical treatment.
This transfer was made possible thanks to an intensive fundraising campaign and the acquisition of a humanitarian visa, overcoming multiple bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the Cuban authorities.
Once at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, Damir began to receive proper medical care.
However, it was discovered that the leukemia diagnosis made in Cuba was incorrect, which resulted in the child receiving unnecessary chemotherapy that further deteriorated his health.
On March 28, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba (MINSAP) held a special presentation on national television to defend the care provided to Damir at the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital. During this intervention, the medical authorities blamed the child's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, for interfering with her son's treatment.
Eliannis responded to these accusations by denying the claims made by MINSAP. She stated that doctors in Cuba were "letting her son die" and that the leukemia diagnosis was incorrect. Additionally, she pointed out that the doctors who appeared on national television did not directly attend to Damir.
The appearance of MINSAP generated a wave of outrage on social media.
Citizens and health professionals accused the doctors of lying and covering up a chain of negligence in the case of Damir.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Case of the Cuban Child Damir Ortiz
What is the current health status of Damir Ortiz?
Damir Ortiz is stable within his severity. Although he is battling an aggressive bacteria he contracted in Cuba, his condition has improved since arriving in the United States. He is receiving specialized medical care at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami.
What complications did Damir Ortiz face in the Cuban healthcare system?
Damir received an incorrect leukemia diagnosis in Cuba, which led to unnecessary chemotherapy treatment that worsened his health. Additionally, Cuban authorities imposed bureaucratic hurdles for his transfer to the U.S., delaying his access to the necessary medical care.
How did Damir Ortiz manage to be transferred to the United States?
The transfer of Damir to the United States was made possible thanks to an intense fundraising campaign and the efforts of Cuban activists. More than $45,000 was raised for his air ambulance transfer, and a humanitarian visa was obtained after overcoming several bureaucratic hurdles imposed by the Cuban authorities.
Why is the Cuban healthcare system criticized in Damir's case?
The Cuban healthcare system is criticized for negligence and misdiagnoses that jeopardized Damir's life. Additionally, bureaucracy and a lack of resources prevented him from receiving proper treatment on time, leading to outrage and complaints from activists and the child's family.
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