Ten-year-old Damir Ortiz remains in a critical state at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami after being airlifted from Cuba on March 12. His mother, Eliannis Ramírez, has spoken out against the Cuban healthcare system, alleging that her son was misdiagnosed on the island, worsening his health condition.
Ramírez explained in an interview with Telemundo 51 that Cuban doctors had initially diagnosed Damir with Burkitt's leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can affect the brain and spinal cord. However, American specialists conducted tests and concluded otherwise: "He is negative for Burkitt's leukemia," confirmed Ramírez, highlighting the erroneous diagnosis made in Cuba.
Before his transfer to Miami, Damir underwent several procedures in Cuba, including two lumbar punctures, both diagnostic and therapeutic. "They extracted cerebrospinal fluid and administered chemotherapy through his spine," detailed Ramírez. Despite these interventions, she lamented the lack of clear communication regarding her son's deteriorating health: "Nobody ever explained why my child couldn't see," she expressed.
Damir's condition has resulted in paraplegia, leaving him immobile from the waist down. "He is paraplegic, he feels from the waist up. He feels nothing below; he's incontinent and requires a catheter," noted the distressed mother. Ramírez holds the Cuban healthcare system responsible, accusing doctors of giving up on her son without offering a viable treatment alternative. "They gave up on Damir and pronounced him dead. It's all part of the same system, the same bad government," she asserted.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Ramírez remains hopeful for her son's recovery, expressing her deepest wish: "My dream is to see him sitting up in that hospital bed."
Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia also criticized the chemotherapy treatment administered to Damir in Cuba, stating it not only was incorrect but significantly worsened his condition. In a Facebook post, Salcedo expressed her frustration, saying, "My heart was never wrong," and revealed she had repeatedly warned that the treatment was inappropriate.
Salcedo's efforts were instrumental in facilitating Damir's transfer from Cuba to the United States, where he now receives high-quality medical care that has been crucial in saving his life. Damir is slowly recovering at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, with recent updates indicating the identification and treatment of a new bacterial infection, alongside noticeable improvements in his lung function.
Additionally, it was confirmed that Damir does not suffer from leukemia, contrary to the diagnosis received at Havana's Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in February.
Key Questions about Damir Ortiz's Medical Case and Misdiagnosis
What was the initial diagnosis given to Damir Ortiz in Cuba?
Damir Ortiz was initially diagnosed with Burkitt's leukemia in Cuba, which was later proven incorrect by doctors in the United States.
What impact did the treatment in Cuba have on Damir's health?
The chemotherapy treatment administered in Cuba was not only erroneous but also significantly worsened Damir's health, leading to paraplegia and other complications.
How is Damir Ortiz's condition now?
Damir is currently receiving treatment at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, where he is slowly recovering, with improvements noted in his lung function and the identification of a new bacterial infection that is being treated.