Ten-year-old Damir Ortiz Ramírez, a Cuban child, is battling serious health issues while his family, alongside several activists, tirelessly pursues a humanitarian visa so he can travel to the United States for specialized medical treatment. Damir suffers from neurofibromatosis type 1 and a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, and is currently being evaluated for possible leukemia.
This past Thursday, Damir and his mother, Eliannis Ramírez, prepared for an important appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, despite logistical challenges and the boy's fragile condition. Activist Yamilka Laffita, known online as “Lara Crofs,” highlighted on social media that medical staff initially refused to provide a wheelchair for Damir. Eventually, his mother managed to get the chair into the room, and arrangements for ambulance transport were underway, but the family’s distress remains palpable.
“Damir barely slept last night; he is in significant pain in his left arm. He was given diclofenac at midnight and dipyrone at 2 a.m., yet the pain persists,” reported Lara Crofs. Additionally, the boy was prescribed tramadol to help manage the pain.
Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, an activist based in the United States and organizer of a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, has called for urgent support to cover the costs of treatment and travel, with a goal of raising $40,000. Salcedo Verdecia emphasized that Damir has already been accepted for treatment at a hospital in Miami, Florida, where he can receive therapies unavailable in Cuba. The next step is securing the humanitarian visa approval at the embassy.
A Health System Under Scrutiny
Currently, Damir is in the intensive care unit at the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital in Havana, suffering from kidney damage and inflammation in both eyes. His mother has frequently criticized the Cuban healthcare system for its inadequacies and lack of resources to properly treat her son.
“I have faith that today they will say yes, and we can go to another country and another hospital to get the care we need,” the courageous boy voiced before his embassy appointment.
The broader public became aware of Damir's situation in August 2023. His mother has sought help through every available channel to have her son operated on, but the medical response has been lacking. Cuban neurosurgeons have indicated that the tumor has spread to inoperable areas of his brain. Eliannis Ramírez has openly criticized the public health system and the bureaucratic hurdles that impede medical care on the island.
The case has sparked a wave of solidarity within the Cuban community and among human rights activists, who continue to demand answers from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health and seek international support to save Damir's life.
Key Questions About Damir's Situation
What health condition is Damir suffering from?
Damir is suffering from neurofibromatosis type 1, a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, and is being evaluated for possible leukemia.
Why is a humanitarian visa important for Damir?
A humanitarian visa is crucial for Damir as it would allow him to travel to the United States to receive specialized medical treatment that is unavailable in Cuba.
How has the Cuban healthcare system responded to Damir's needs?
Damir's mother has reported numerous challenges with the Cuban healthcare system, including a lack of resources and bureaucratic hurdles that have hindered adequate medical care for her son.
Who is supporting Damir's case for international medical treatment?
Activists such as Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, who is organizing fundraising efforts, and Yamilka Laffita, who is raising awareness on social media, are supporting Damir's case for international medical treatment.