The mother of the Cuban boy Damir Ortiz, Eliannis Ramírez, revealed this Monday that her son was suffering from Ewing's sarcoma, but was mistakenly treated with chemotherapy for Burkitt leukemia in Cuban hospitals.
In a post on her Facebook profile, Ramírez publicly stated that the diagnosis in Cuba was incorrect and that this medical error, according to her, cost her son his life.
"My son had an Ewing sarcoma, and your murderous doctors gave him chemotherapy for Burkitt leukemia for his spine," the mother wrote, in a message marked by pain and indignation.
According to the account, the child underwent three myelograms and three bone marrow biopsies, procedures that would not have served to accurately determine his illness.
Ramírez blamed the Cuban public health system for what he considers a serious medical negligence.
"They killed him," he stated, while asserting that Damir was a victim of a failed system, incapable of properly diagnosing and treating his condition.
The mother explained that, although she will never be able to get her son back, his story will not go unpunished.
In his testimony, he denounced the suffering of the minor and expressed his helplessness regarding the lack of responses and the treatment received from the medical staff.
In March, after Damir was transferred to the United States for medical treatment that is unavailable in Cuba, his mother chose not to publicly disclose the exact diagnosis, with the aim of protecting the case from potential future legal actions against the regime.
According to Diasniurka Salcedo, an activist who played a key role in managing the humanitarian visa, the decision was made to prevent the Cuban authorities from having time to prepare and manipulate the situation in their favor.
During a live broadcast on Facebook, Salcedo explained that Damir's case is not just another one; it has much more serious implications, as the child was misdiagnosed in Cuba and received incorrect treatment.
On the island, they told him he had leukemia, but upon arriving at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, the doctors confirmed that he did not have that illness.
The activist highlighted that this case is full of elements that could be used to achieve justice, not only for Damir but also for many other Cuban children facing similar situations.
"This is the case of a child who was misdiagnosed and mistreated in a supposed medical facility. They provided inappropriate treatment, and we have all the necessary arguments to take the appropriate action," she assured.
"Information is power, and we cannot give the dictatorship the power to prepare, because there are many children in Cuba who are experiencing the same thing as Damir. And this must be known..." he added.
Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, a doctor involved in the case, also defended the approach of keeping the diagnosis private.
On Facebook, he stated that Damir's actual diagnosis is under legal protection and will be revealed in due course.
"I'm not going to give them time to prepare and lie again. The justice for thousands of Cuban children is at stake too!" Ruano stated.
The doctor warned those who have tried to obtain information about Damir's case that they do not have authorization to receive it and that U.S. authorities have taken clear measures regarding this matter.
"We will see you at the hearings in the Courts. They will return to the international list of human rights violators, because they are," he specified.
Recently, Ramírez shared a deeply emotional message dedicated to his son, which has touched thousands of people on social media.
In her post, Eliannis expressed all the pain she carries inside with words that have moved many due to their tenderness and rawness:
"You are not dead, you are just asleep, waiting for me. You are mine forever, my warrior prince. I love no one more than you. I love you so much, son, I love you, I love you, I love you. How much this hurts me, Damir. You are asleep, you are my life and my drive, my most sincere feeling is you, my son of my soul."
The little Damir received his final farewell this Sunday at the Caballero Rivero funeral home in Hialeah, where he was honored among wreaths of white flowers, accompanied by his mother and members of the Cuban exile community who gathered to bid farewell to the boy who fought until the end for his life.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Damir Ortiz and healthcare in Cuba
What was the medical error in the diagnosis of Damir Ortiz in Cuba?
The medical error in the case of Damir Ortiz was diagnosing him with Burkitt's leukemia, when in fact he was suffering from Ewing's sarcoma. This incorrect diagnosis led to him receiving inappropriate chemotherapy treatment that was not only ineffective but also significantly worsened his health.
Why did Eliannis Ramírez decide to keep her son's actual diagnosis a secret?
Eliannis Ramírez, mother of Damir Ortiz, decided to keep her son's actual diagnosis a secret to protect the case from potential legal actions against the Cuban regime. This decision aims to prevent the Cuban authorities from manipulating the situation and preparing to defend themselves against accusations of medical negligence.
How did the incorrect treatment affect Damir Ortiz's health?
The incorrect treatment administered to Damir Ortiz in Cuba worsened his health condition, as he received chemotherapy for a condition he did not have. This was not only ineffective, but it also caused significant deterioration, including complications such as hospital-acquired infections and vision problems.
What actions have been taken to seek justice in the case of Damir Ortiz?
The family of Damir Ortiz, along with activists, is exploring legal actions against the Cuban regime for the medical negligence suffered. Additionally, the case has been widely reported on social media and in the media, highlighting the deficiencies of the healthcare system in Cuba and seeking justice not only for Damir but also for other children in similar situations.
What has been the response of the Cuban regime to the accusations of medical negligence?
The Cuban regime has defended the medical care provided to Damir Ortiz, blaming the mother for interfering with the treatment and claiming that all possible efforts were made despite the limitations. However, these statements have been widely questioned and criticized both by Damir's family and the international community.
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