A Cuban family has brought attention to the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) for refusing to grant the necessary authorization for 10-year-old Damir Ortíz Ramírez, diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (eye cancer), to secure a humanitarian visa for medical treatment in the United States.
In a Facebook live session, Damir's mother, Eliannis Ramírez, expressed her frustration. Despite claims from the "Juan Manuel Márquez" Pediatric Hospital in Havana of having the capability to treat her son, she has seen no improvements. Ramírez criticized the deficiencies within Cuba's healthcare system.
The situation was highlighted in a video by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, where Ramírez detailed her encounters with hospital doctors who denied her the necessary letter for the embassy. She appealed for assistance from anyone willing to help.
"It is my right to leave Cuba to seek medical assistance. My son is bedridden, unable to walk or feel his legs," Ramírez stated desperately. "I need alternative opinions on my son's health. It is my right, and I demand that it be respected," she added.
A GoFundMe campaign, initiated by Salcedo Verdecia, mentions that a hospital in Miami is ready to treat the child, with expenses for treatment and travel amounting to $40,000.
Social media users have rallied in support of Damir, urging MINSAP's director, Dr. José Ángel Portal Miranda, to issue the letter required for processing a humanitarian visa at the U.S. Embassy in Havana.
This denial is at odds with previous statements by MINSAP officials, who have acknowledged the right of families to seek medical care abroad.
This case is reminiscent of the 2023 ordeal of Cristian Miguel Bencomo, whose parents accused MINSAP of delaying the necessary documentation for his treatment overseas. Tragically, Cristian passed away in Cuba while waiting for a liver transplant that never materialized.
Questions on Cuba's Healthcare System and International Treatment
Why is the Cuban family seeking treatment in the United States?
The family believes that the treatment available in the United States can offer better care for Damir Ortíz Ramírez, whose condition has not improved under the current healthcare system in Cuba.
What challenges do Cuban families face when seeking medical treatment abroad?
Cuban families often face bureaucratic hurdles, such as obtaining necessary authorizations from the Ministry of Public Health, which can delay or prevent them from seeking treatment abroad.