On January 9th, Yanaris Rodriguez faced a devastating revelation. The medical team overseeing her daughter, Brianna Charlette Blanco, who has a tumor initially considered benign at the base of her tongue, informed her in writing that they are unable to proceed with surgery. The reason cited was the "shortage of medical supplies," coupled with the challenges faced by the country's healthcare facilities and the uniqueness of her daughter’s condition in Cuba.
In a segment of the medical communication obtained by CiberCuba, the doctors explicitly stated that "surgical intervention is impossible" to address the patient’s condition. In desperation, Yanaris has turned to CiberCuba to publicize her daughter’s plight, seeking help to obtain a humanitarian visa for potential surgery abroad.
Brianna has been diagnosed with a lesion that appears cystic at the base of the tongue, projecting to the oropharynx, with a fistulous tract contacting the posterior inferior musculature of the tongue (known as a thyroglossal duct cyst). "This is the diagnosis according to the most recent MRI, but they cannot reach the location here. She has been taken to the operating room three times, and still, nothing has resolved," the mother shared via WhatsApp with CiberCuba.
Diagnosed with the tumor since the age of three, Brianna has undergone three surgeries with no improvement. "Over the years, I have been told that this tumor should not have been operated on, as it could become malignant, accelerate in growth, cause sudden asphyxiation, and even lead to death," Yanaris explained.
Brianna Blanco is the only reported case in Cuba with this type of tumor. "My daughter suffers from malnutrition, choking, and currently has affected vocal cords due to compression. I am a desperate mother. I plead with you to share this video to help me obtain a humanitarian visa so I can travel and get my daughter the surgery she needs, since there is no solution, resources, or personnel in my country to perform this operation," Yanaris Rodriguez expressed in a video sent to CiberCuba.
This situation is not isolated. Jorgito Reina, from Guanabacoa, Havana, has been waiting nearly a year for a humanitarian visa to undergo a bone marrow transplant in the United States, where his father resides. Even the current U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, advocated for his case with USCIS during his time as a senator, yet there have been no results.
The deterioration of Cuba's public health system has driven families dealing with severe illnesses to desperation. Following the pandemic, the Cuban healthcare system plunged into crisis and has yet to recover. It is now known that the regime spends 14 times more on tourism than on healthcare.
Understanding the Healthcare Crisis in Cuba
Why can't Brianna Blanco be operated on in Cuba?
The medical team has stated that due to a shortage of medical supplies and the unique nature of Brianna's condition in Cuba, they are unable to perform the necessary surgical procedure.
What condition does Brianna Blanco have?
Brianna has a lesion that appears cystic at the base of her tongue, known as a thyroglossal duct cyst, which projects to the oropharynx and involves a fistulous tract.
How is the Cuban healthcare system affecting patients with severe conditions?
The Cuban healthcare system is facing a crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, leading to a lack of resources and medical supplies, which affects the treatment of patients with severe conditions.