Six-year-old Yodelvis Furones, who suffered a skull fracture during Hurricane Oscar in Baracoa, is in critical condition after undergoing surgery in Santiago de Cuba. After being rescued from the ruins of his collapsed home in a life-threatening state, Yodelvis was transported to the Antonio María Béguez South Children's Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. Here, he underwent emergency surgery on Tuesday, and by Thursday morning, his condition was reported as critically stable.
In an interview with the Cuban News Agency, Jesús Cabrera, the hospital director, shared that Yodelvis has been on mechanical ventilation since the surgery, performed on October 22. Medical teams are planning to commence enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube based on his recovery progress. Cabrera emphasized the meticulous monitoring of the wound and the reinforcement of sutures to prevent any complications. Yodelvis's parents, who were evacuated with him, are also being assessed for potential injuries by medical staff.
Medical Team Vigilant as Child Remains in Intensive Care
The head physician assured that the Intensive Care Unit is fully stocked with the necessary medications to support the child's recovery. Yodelvis was injured when a tree fell on his home during the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Oscar in Guantánamo on October 20.
Miguel Díaz-Canel, the Cuban leader, faced sharp criticism from the Guantánamo residents during his visit to the storm-ravaged area on Wednesday. He posted on social media platform X, stating that the young boy had been "successfully operated on in Santiago de Cuba."
Baracoa and Surrounding Areas Struggle with Isolation Post-Hurricane
Baracoa remains in a state of emergency, largely cut off by road after the La Farola viaduct connecting it to Guantánamo was severed. The community is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar, which compounded the crisis already intensified by a national power grid collapse last Friday. Nearby areas like Imías and San Antonio del Sur are also isolated, with reports of seven fatalities due to flooding.