Elaine Montaña, a Cuban mother, has made a desperate plea for help on social media to get her daughter surgery, who is facing a serious health condition.
In a post made on Facebook, the mother explained that she urgently needs to find specific surgical blades for her little one's surgery, which are not available at the island's pediatric hospital.
“Good afternoon, I’m doing this because I have no other option. I need to find these types of blades to operate on my daughter, and the pediatric hospital doesn’t have them. Please, I need your help. I'm making this post because I’m desperate; my daughter needs surgery,” wrote Elaine Montaña alongside images of her daughter.
The images show the minor with noticeable marks on her skin, reflecting the severity of her condition. Additionally, Elaine Montaña included a screenshot of a webpage where the blades necessary for the operation are being offered.
These are "dermatome sheets" or "dermatome blades," a specialized surgical instrument used to extract thin layers of skin. These devices are essential in procedures such as:
- Treatment of patients with extensive burns, to extract healthy skin and transplant it to affected areas.
- Reconstructive or plastic surgeries.
- Obtaining autologous grafts (from the same patient) for skin regeneration.
The brand Aesculap, mentioned in the image posted by Elaine, is a globally recognized manufacturer of high-precision surgical instruments.
The mother also shared her phone number to receive any kind of help or information that would allow her to acquire the blades and save her daughter's life.
Apparently, the serious health condition of Elaine's daughter is due to burns sustained in 2023.
So far, the post has started to generate reactions and messages of support from people looking to help this Cuban family in their difficult situation.
In recent years, many mothers in Cuba have turned to social media to denounce the severe shortage of medical supplies and the precarious conditions of the healthcare system on the island. These testimonies reflect a health crisis that forces families to seek desperate solutions to save the lives of their children.
In January 2025, a mother in Banes, Holguín, sought assistance to build a cell within her home due to the lack of medication to treat her son's mental illness, which posed a danger to her family.
Similarly, in April 2025, Mayelin Valido Tejeda, the mother of a five-month-old baby admitted to intensive care in Santa Clara, made an urgent plea on social media to save her son's life, Caleb Aguilera Valido.
Also, in December 2024, a mother reported the precarious conditions at the "Julio Antonio Mella" polyclinic in the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, where she took her sick baby, revealing the difficulties in accessing proper medical care.
In March 2024, Marielys Pérez, the mother of a 16-month-old girl in Pinar del Río, requested help to obtain a portable ventilator necessary for her daughter, who had undergone a tracheostomy and gastrostomy.
These cases highlight a growing trend among Cuban mothers who, faced with a lack of resources and the inefficiency of the healthcare system, are forced to seek external help to meet their children's medical needs. Citizen solidarity and fundraising campaigns have become essential tools for addressing this health crisis.
The situation of Elaine Montaña and her daughter is set against this context of shortages and precariousness, where the lives of the most vulnerable often depend on the assistance they can receive from the community and from supportive individuals both inside and outside of Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Shortage of Medical Supplies in Cuba and Its Impact on Child Health
Why is Elaine Montaña searching for specific surgical blades for her daughter in Cuba?
Elaine Montaña needs dermatome sheets to operate on her daughter, who is facing a serious health condition due to burns sustained in 2023. These blades are not available at the pediatric hospital in Cuba, which reflects the shortage of medical supplies on the island.
What is the current situation of the healthcare system in Cuba?
The healthcare system in Cuba is facing a crisis due to a lack of resources and a shortage of medical supplies. Numerous families are turning to social media to ask for help, highlighting the precarious conditions and the inefficiency of the current system.
How are Cuban families reacting to the lack of medical supplies?
Amid the shortage of medical supplies, many Cuban families are seeking help on social media to obtain the necessary resources to treat their children's medical conditions. This situation has fostered citizen solidarity and fundraising campaigns.
What impact does the shortage of medical supplies have on children's health in Cuba?
The shortage of medical supplies in Cuba severely impacts children's health, forcing families to seek desperate solutions to obtain basic treatments. These cases reflect a health crisis that endangers the lives of the most vulnerable, such as children requiring specialized medical care.
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