The Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) publicly defended the medical attention provided to young Damir Ortiz at the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital during a special televised appearance on Friday. They accused the child's mother of hindering his treatment. Medical professionals and officials claimed that every medical decision regarding the boy—who was transferred to a Miami hospital in a critical condition following a social media campaign—was made collectively, emphasizing that the "child's well-being was always the priority."
This controversy, which sparked widespread debate online, brought to light accusations of inadequate care and misdiagnosis in Cuba. During the broadcast, MINSAP insisted that the family, not the medical team, refused a biopsy procedure. A hospital spokesperson remarked that Damir's current improvement is not miraculous, but rather the expected result of correctly administered oncological treatment and supportive care in Cuba.
In addressing criticisms about the lack of treatment, officials described the situation as complex, noting "opportunities were lost" due to the mother's refusal to permit certain procedures. Contrarily, Damir's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, has maintained that her son received improper care in Cuba and was misdiagnosed, jeopardizing his life.
Ramírez, along with Cuban activists, highlighted the absence of adequate medical care for severe conditions in Cuba, particularly for children like Damir, who suffered without proper treatment for years. Activist Diasniurka Salcedo, who facilitated Damir's transfer from Cuba, noted that his condition worsened due to the lack of timely medical attention.
Salcedo pointed out that MINSAP delayed releasing necessary documentation for the U.S. Embassy in Havana to issue a humanitarian visa, only doing so when Damir's health reached a critical point. After months of efforts by Cuban civil society and activists, Damir was finally relocated to a Florida hospital on March 12, where he was diagnosed with an illness different from the one identified in Cuba.
According to Ramírez, the child arrived in septic shock caused by an undetected lung bacterium in Cuba, and the leukemia diagnosis he received there was incorrect. MINSAP's intervention, broadcasted on both television and radio, aimed to clarify the procedures followed in Cuba and underscore the ethics and compassion of the island's healthcare professionals. However, many view this as a government strategy to manipulate the narrative and counter the criticisms.
Activists and family members of other patients have remarked that Cuban families increasingly turn to social media to highlight the dire state of the Cuban healthcare system and seek assistance for treatment abroad. In reaction to the National TV broadcast by health officials, Damir's mother announced a press conference for the following Monday. Ramírez has kept her son's Miami diagnosis confidential, as she considers the possibility of legal action against Havana's regime. Damir Ortiz's case remains emblematic of the ongoing struggle for proper medical care in Cuba and highlights the Cuban regime's accountability in the healthcare crisis.
Questions About Damir Ortiz's Medical Case
What was the original diagnosis given to Damir Ortiz in Cuba?
In Cuba, Damir Ortiz was incorrectly diagnosed with leukemia.
Why did Damir's mother refuse certain medical procedures in Cuba?
Damir's mother refused certain procedures due to a lack of trust in the Cuban medical diagnosis and care.
How did the MINSAP defend its actions regarding Damir's case?
MINSAP claimed that all medical decisions were made with consensus and that the child's well-being was prioritized.