The Cuban Institute of Hematology and Immunology, where young Damir Ortiz was treated before traveling to the United States, has released a statement regarding his passing. Wilfredo Roque García, the institute's director, expressed "sorrow and dismay" on behalf of the entire staff, noting that Damir received "care and attention from doctors, nurses, and everyone involved in his hospitalization."
Roque García, who previously defended the care provided to Damir on Cuban television and blamed his mother for interfering with the treatment, now emphasizes the emotional bonds that form between medical professionals and their young patients. "Despite our extensive experience in treating pediatric oncohematological diseases, we are not immune to grief. The death of a child always brings profound sadness, and we share in the mourning and pain of his family," he stated.
He also expressed gratitude towards the American doctors who treated Damir and offered to collaborate with them on complex cases like this, "always adhering to the principles of science and medical ethics." However, Roque García did not address the requests from Eliannis Ramírez, Damir's mother, for the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to allow her son to receive treatment abroad.
Diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 at age two, Damir's health deteriorated over time due to inadequate medical attention, mismanagement, lack of resources, and the inefficiency of the Cuban healthcare system. He was even misdiagnosed with leukemia and given the wrong treatment. By the time the government permitted him to leave for specialized medical care in the U.S. in March, his condition had become critical.
The transfer was made possible through a vigorous fundraising campaign and the support of the Cuban civil society. Unfortunately, Damir passed away on Saturday at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, unable to overcome a highly aggressive bacterial infection contracted in Cuba, which was diagnosed upon his arrival in the U.S.
The news of his death has deeply affected the medical community involved in his case. Cuban doctors who tirelessly advocated for Damir to receive proper treatment abroad have expressed their grief and anger over the tragic outcome.
Lucio Enriquez Nodarse, a participant in the campaign to bring Damir to the U.S., shared a video on Facebook expressing his outrage: "Damir has died, and his death was caused by the dictatorship of the Cuban Communist Party. The United States is not to blame for Damir's death; we must not be manipulated. The sole entity responsible for Damir's life and that of all Cuban children is the Communist Party," he declared emphatically.
Miguel Ángel Ruano Sánchez, a doctor currently facing defamation and accusations of falsifying his credentials by the regime, shared an emotional message: "My dear boy! This vile world was never a place for an angel like you, I always knew it! Your body no longer suffers; you are now free. You are no longer confined to a bed, suffering, unable to walk. Your eyes, once blind, are now filled with light," he posted on Facebook.
The doctors and activists who fought for Damir also praised the courage of his mother, Eliannis. "Mother, relentless warrior," they wrote, acknowledging her bravery in standing up to the regime to try to save her son's life.
This highly publicized case has not only revealed the shortcomings 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 grief of Cuban doctors, activists, and citizens underscores the struggle of a nation that, even without conventional weapons, finds strength in solidarity and truth to confront injustices.
Damir's death has left a significant impact on Cuban society, symbolizing not just a personal tragedy for his family but also the systemic failures that continue to endanger the lives of the most vulnerable.
FAQs about Damir Ortiz's Case
What condition was Damir Ortiz diagnosed with?
Damir Ortiz was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 when he was two years old.
Why was Damir's transfer to the United States delayed?
His transfer was delayed due to the inefficiency of the Cuban healthcare system and the government's initial refusal to allow him to receive treatment abroad.
How did Damir pass away?
Damir died from a highly aggressive bacterial infection he contracted in Cuba and was diagnosed only after arriving in the United States.