Nearly a year after leaving Cuba with the threat of losing her eye, young Rocío Bustamante Riverón is thriving in Spain, free from any lingering health issues.
Exiled Cuban doctor Lucio Enríquez Nodarse shared this positive update on Tuesday through his social media, showcasing a photo collage that captures Rocío's transformation from the harrowing days that touched thousands of hearts in 2025.
“Less than a year ago, Rocío was still in Cuba. The so-called 'medical impotence' there had given up on her, predicting she would inevitably lose her eye. By the grace of God, we managed to get her out of that nightmare. Today, she lives a full life, with no aftereffects and her eye completely healthy,” Enríquez Nodarse posted on Facebook.
The Struggle in Cuba
Since she was just eleven months old, Rocío suffered from a lymphangioma orbitary—a benign yet invasive tumor in her left eye. Over more than a decade, Cuba’s healthcare system offered no effective treatment. Despite visits to multiple hospitals, including William Soler, Juan Manuel Márquez, Ramón Pando Ferrer, and the Oncology Institute, she received no active medical intervention.
From the age of four, Cuban doctors stated they would only act if the tumor ruptured. In 2018, specialists at Ramón Pando Ferrer acknowledged that treatment was "incomplete, risky, and difficult" due to a lack of technical resources, while the Oncology Institute admitted no experience in procedures like ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage.
A Mother's Fight and a New Beginning
By July 2025, Rocío's condition had worsened: she was experiencing frequent bleeding in her affected eye, severe headaches, and had not undergone a follow-up MRI in three years. The Cuban healthcare system's only offered measures were eye drops, cold compresses, and sporadic checkups.
Desperate for help, her mother, Adela Amparo Riverón Vega, turned to social media and independent media outlets to bring attention to their plight. With the assistance of Enríquez Nodarse, Rocío and her mother arrived in Madrid on November 16, 2025, where she was admitted to the Fundación Jiménez Díaz for specialized intravenous treatment.
By May 2026, a follow-up MRI confirmed Rocío was completely healthy, a fact her relieved mother shared: “In Cuba, they told me there was no solution, but God placed wonderful people in our path, and Spain welcomed us in a very special way.”
A Call for Change
Dr. Enríquez Nodarse had previously warned that without intervention, the outlook was dire: “At best, Rocío was destined to lose an eye. At worst, her life was at risk.”
Rocío's story is not unique. Another Cuban child, Damir Ortiz, whose case was also overseen by Enríquez Nodarse, tragically died on April 5, 2025, at the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami from sepsis contracted in Cuban hospitals—a harsh reminder of the severe shortcomings of Cuba's healthcare system.
“I hope one day our country will have a robust, modern, and truly humane healthcare system where no child—or anyone—dies from neglect, negligence, or lost opportunities,” the exiled doctor expressed.
FAQs on Healthcare Challenges for Cuban Children
What condition did Rocío suffer from?
Rocío suffered from a lymphangioma orbitary, a benign but invasive tumor affecting her left eye.
How did Rocío receive treatment in Spain?
With the help of Dr. Lucio Enríquez Nodarse and her mother’s advocacy, Rocío was brought to Madrid, where she received specialized care at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz.
What challenges does the Cuban healthcare system face?
Cuba's healthcare system struggles with inadequate resources, lack of technical expertise, and limited treatment options for complex medical conditions.