Damir Ortiz Ramírez, a 10-year-old Cuban boy already battling neurofibromatosis type 1 and a plexiform neurofibroma affecting his right eye, now faces an additional grave challenge with a recent acute leukemia diagnosis. This distressing news was conveyed to his mother by Cuban doctors on Friday.
In a heartfelt post on Facebook, Eliannis Ramírez, Damir's mother, shared the devastating update and emphasized her unwavering focus on her son's health. She expressed that even minor improvements, such as maintaining platelet levels at 38 or the absence of nasal bleeding, are considered significant victories. Despite the crushing leukemia diagnosis, she declared herself "stronger than ever" and committed to battling the disease head-on. "I felt peace because now I know what's harming my son, and I'm ready to fight this leukemia. Rest assured, Damir and I can overcome this," she affirmed.
Miguel Ángel Ruano Sanchez, president of the Cuban Free Medical Guild, highlighted in a Facebook video that the specific type of leukemia Damir is suffering from remains undetermined due to the need for further testing. Initially, doctors proposed chemotherapy treatment without specifying which kind, later claiming they had acquired the necessary cytostatic serum for Damir, despite lacking a definitive diagnosis. Ruano criticized this as part of the regime's typical "demagogic politics and empty rhetoric."
Medical System Under Scrutiny
In the latest health update, Ruano, who joined the medical briefing via videoconference, reported that officials from both the Neurology Institute and the Hematology Institute visited Damir's ward. The doctors considered transferring him to the Hematology Institute, described as a "more modern" facility, after he had already been moved from the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital to the Neurology Institute.
Ruano firmly stated, "Damir is not a ping-pong ball; he will not leave the Neurology and Neurosurgery Institute under any circumstances. He has everything he needs there—intensive care, specialists, everything. He stays, and if necessary, officials should come to him, as they have been doing."
The Fight for a Humanitarian Visa
Activist Yamilka Lafita, known on social media as Lara Crofs, reported on efforts to secure a humanitarian visa for Damir to receive treatment in the United States. Despite a denial of the visa by U.S. authorities, Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia, an opponent of the regime, continues to pursue all avenues to facilitate Damir's transfer.
Lafita criticized the Cuban Ministry of Public Health for refusing to issue a document acknowledging their inability to save Damir's life, which is essential for the U.S. visa application. Addressing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), she noted, "While the standard processing time is three to four months, Damir's I-130 petition allows for expedited visa consideration."
The U.S. Embassy in Havana reiterated the visa denial for Damir and his mother, citing their "ineligibility" for the requested non-immigrant visa, as stated on February 6. As an alternative, the consulate suggested applying for humanitarian parole, which requires processing and approval by USCIS in the U.S. Despite arranging for treatment at a Miami hospital and launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise $40,000 for medical and travel expenses, Damir remains unable to leave Cuba.
Securing a humanitarian visa for Damir's transfer to the U.S. necessitated an authorization letter from Cuba's Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), which remains unissued.
FAQs about Damir's Health Crisis and Visa Efforts
What medical conditions does Damir Ortiz Ramírez have?
Damir is battling neurofibromatosis type 1, a plexiform neurofibroma in his right eye, and has recently been diagnosed with acute leukemia.
Why was Damir's U.S. humanitarian visa denied?
The U.S. Embassy in Havana denied the visa because Damir and his mother were considered "ineligible" for the non-immigrant visa classification they applied for. The embassy suggested humanitarian parole as an alternative.
What steps are being taken to help Damir receive treatment in the U.S.?
Efforts include continued attempts to secure a visa, arranging for treatment in a Miami hospital, and a GoFundMe campaign to cover expenses. However, these efforts are stalled without a necessary authorization letter from Cuban health authorities.