A nine-month-old Cuban infant has been waiting since he was three months old for a crucial surgery that has yet to happen. According to his mother, the delay is due to the absence of a necessary MRI, leaving the infant struggling to breathe as a nasal growth worsens.
Sarita Fuentes took to Facebook last Friday to highlight her son's plight after months of unsuccessful attempts to get help from public health institutions in Guantánamo. Her son, Joshuá Mylam, suffers from a nasal lipoma and an intracranial lipoma. Doctors need an MRI to determine if the intracranial lesion has grown before they can proceed with surgery.
"He should have had the surgery when he was just three months old," Fuentes lamented.
The MRI has not been conducted because, as she was told by officials, there is no fuel to transport the baby from Guantánamo to Villa Clara, where the exam is supposed to take place.
Fuentes has repeatedly appealed to the Maternal and Child Care Program (PAMI), government authorities, and the provincial health department, but she claims to receive the same empty promises.
"Every time I approach these places, they assure me the MRI will happen next week. It's all lies," she stated.
She further claimed that the MRI machine in Guantánamo was operational, with rumors of a 25,000-peso charge for the service. "As a mother, I refuse to pay for something that is my child's right," she insisted.
Her primary concern is Joshuá's ability to breathe. The nasal lesion has expanded to completely block one nostril. "He's a high-risk baby, and that growth in his nose makes breathing impossible. Some nights, I don't sleep, fearing he might suffocate," Fuentes shared.
Instances worsen when Joshuá shows respiratory symptoms, and his mother fears a medical emergency could arise before the surgery is performed. "Are they waiting for my child to stop breathing?" she questioned, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
The day after her initial post, Fuentes reiterated that her complaints are not new but part of a relentless effort since her son's birth. "I've never given up; I'm simply fighting for my child's rights," she expressed.
She voiced concerns about the intracranial lesion, stating that an MRI is crucial to check for growth before Joshuá's fontanel closes. Conflicting reports about fuel availability add to her frustration, with government sources claiming there is fuel, while PAMI says otherwise. "Who can I believe?" she asked.
Fuentes's fears are underscored by recent cases of children waiting months for surgery. In March, a ten-month-old boy named Darwin Daniel Sotolongo Cedres died in Camagüey after being hospitalized without receiving needed surgery for a severe respiratory condition. His mother had criticized the healthcare system for lacking necessary resources and specialists.
Pediatric surgical difficulties are a nationwide issue acknowledged by authorities. In July, Vice Prime Minister Eduardo Martínez Díaz admitted over 100,000 people were on surgical waiting lists, including more than 10,000 children. Later, Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly recognized the backlog, linking it to power outages and fuel shortages, but blamed U.S. sanctions for the healthcare system's decline.
As for Joshuá, his mother is determined not to remain silent while her son's respiratory challenges grow more severe.
Understanding the Cuban Healthcare Crisis: Key Questions
Why is Joshuá Mylam's surgery delayed?
The delay is due to the unavailability of a crucial MRI required to assess Joshuá's condition before surgery. There are claims of fuel shortages affecting transportation to the necessary medical facility.
What are the mother's main concerns for her child?
Sarita Fuentes is primarily worried about her son Joshuá's ability to breathe, as a nasal lesion has grown to block one nostril completely, posing a significant risk to his health.
What broader issues are affecting Cuba's healthcare system?
Cuba's healthcare system faces significant challenges, including a backlog of surgeries due to power outages, fuel shortages, and resource constraints, with authorities also blaming U.S. sanctions for exacerbating these issues.