Heartbreak Among Independent Cuban Medical Community Following the Death of Young Damir Ortiz: "No One Can Hurt You Now"

The tragic passing of Damir Ortiz, a young Cuban boy who bravely fought a severe illness, has sent shockwaves through the medical community deeply involved in his care. Particularly, Cuban doctors who tirelessly worked to secure proper treatment for him outside of Cuba have voiced their sorrow and anger over his untimely death.

Lucio Enriquez Nodarse, a key figure in the campaign to bring Damir to the United States, shared his outrage in a Facebook video: "Damir has died, and it is the dictatorship of the Communist Party of Cuba that is responsible. The United States is not to blame for Damir's death; we must not be manipulated. The sole entity accountable for Damir's life and those of all Cuban children is the Communist Party," he declared with conviction.

Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at the age of two, Damir's condition worsened over time due to inadequate medical attention. Enriquez Nodarse emphasized that the lack of resources, the incompetence and neglect of the Cuban healthcare system, and the absence of life-saving treatments were key factors contributing to the tragedy.

He stressed that Damir is not the only Cuban child whose life has been cut short for these reasons. Other similar cases have been silenced, he noted.

Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, another doctor under attack by the regime with accusations of falsifying his credentials, expressed his grief in a heartfelt message: "My dear child! This disgusting world was never a place for an angel like you, I ALWAYS KNEW IT! Your body no longer suffers; now you are free. No longer are you confined to a bed, unable to walk. No longer blind, your eyes now shine with light," he posted on Facebook.

In his message, Ruano Sánchez reflected on the profound impact Damir had on his life and bid him farewell with: "Fly high, my baby, your godfather will never forget you."

The doctors and activists who advocated for Damir also praised the courage of Eliannis, his mother. "Mother, tireless warrior," they wrote in recognition of her bravery in facing the regime to try to save her son’s life.

Damir passed away this Saturday at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. Despite extensive efforts, he succumbed to an aggressive bacterium contracted in Cuba, diagnosed after his arrival in the United States.

A statement by Cuban activist Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia confirmed his death at 5:00 am, following a severe decline in health. "Our warrior is resting with the Lord! There are no words to express such pain," she said, thanking those who supported the cause and praying for his eternal peace.

Damir’s case, which garnered significant media attention both inside and outside of Cuba, has highlighted not only the failures of the Cuban healthcare system but also the indifference of a regime that prioritizes control and ideology over the health and well-being of its people.

The collective mourning of doctors, activists, and Cuban citizens underscores the struggle of a nation that, despite lacking resources, finds in solidarity and truth the only means to confront injustice.

Damir's death leaves a profound imprint on Cuban society, symbolizing not just a personal loss for his family but also the inefficacy of a system that continues to endanger the lives of the most vulnerable.