A 24-year-old Cuban, Jadier Juvier Bravo, who underwent a kidney transplant on September 4th in Villa Clara, is experiencing a successful recovery. Over 20 days after the surgery at the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital, the young man is entering a new phase of his life, as reported by the official newspaper Vanguardia on their Facebook profile.
Juvier was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure four months after completing his Active Military Service (SMA), necessitating six years of hemodialysis sessions. His family noticed significant changes when he returned home to Güinía de Miranda (Manicaragua) from SMA. Instead of engaging in usual activities like sports, he spent most of his time bedridden due to exhaustion.
A Lifesaving Donation
After years of battling the illness, the transplant was made possible thanks to the generosity of the family of a brain-dead patient who decided to donate their kidney, offering Juvier a renewed chance at life. "His disciplined approach played a crucial role in the successful outcome, and his transformation since leaving the operating room has been remarkable," remarked Darlis Bravo Toledo, Juvier's mother.
Dr. Yunier González Cárdenas, regional coordinator for donation and transplant, confirmed that Juvier's condition is satisfactory, with proper urination and an excellent mood.
Challenges in Cuba's Transplant System
Since the beginning of the transplant program at the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital in 2001, more than 500 such surgeries have been performed, mostly from either living donors or those with brain death, showing high survival and quality rates. However, the reality for many Cubans in need of a kidney transplant is far from ideal.
In March, a Cuban mother took to social media to criticize the government because her son had been waiting four years for a kidney transplant, despite his father being a compatible donor. Mailín Rueda Sevila publicly addressed the Ministry of Public Health and Dr. Antonio Enamorado, the national transplant coordinator, accusing them of deceit and neglect, resulting in her son's deteriorating condition.
This is not an isolated incident. In 2023, another mother sought help for her 15-year-old daughter suffering from chronic kidney failure. Mirnellis Saldívar shared on Facebook that her daughter fell ill at the age of seven and has been ready for a transplant since 2019.