Former Italian lawmaker Alessandro Di Battista has unveiled that the severe health issue leading to his unexpected hospitalization in Cuba at the end of August was a brain edema triggered by a tumor, which necessitated an urgent surgical procedure in Havana.
In an interview on the Italian show diMartedì aired by La7, Di Battista spoke candidly for the first time about his diagnosis, following weeks of speculation about the illness that kept him hospitalized on the island and initially delayed his return to Italy.
"I began feeling unwell due to a brain edema caused by a tumor that was diagnosed in Cuba," he elaborated.
The 48-year-old former parliamentarian was on the island working on reports for Il Fatto Quotidiano and TVLoft when symptoms emerged.
Medical Intervention in Cuba
According to his account, Cuban doctors swiftly identified the disease and administered treatment to reduce the brain edema, making surgery possible.
"Most of the tumor was removed, and now I'm undergoing treatments in hopes they will be effective," Di Battista mentioned, adding that he is receiving ongoing medical care in Italy.
Challenges Faced During Surgery
Di Battista identified Marlon Ortiz as the Cuban neurosurgeon who performed the operation, crediting him with saving his life.
Upon returning to Italy, specialists at Rome's Hospital Gemelli informed him that the procedure he underwent in Cuba was highly complex. He described the severe material shortages faced by the medical team.
"I was operated on with technology that was used here 30 years ago, yet this neurosurgeon saved my life," he recounted.
Di Battista also shared that the Cuban doctor recently reached out to inform him about difficulties in sterilizing surgical instruments due to power shortages. His depiction of the conditions at Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras included another critical issue: lack of water.
"I was operated on in a hospital without water," he asserted.
He described how, after news of his hospitalization spread, local residents began bringing him buckets of water to the 19th floor so he could wash or use the bathroom.
"This is the reality," he emphasized in the interview.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Hospitalization
The new testimony sheds light on a mystery that lingered for nearly a month. Di Battista was hospitalized in critical condition after experiencing severe headaches and sudden illness while in Santa Clara. He initially received care there before being transferred to Havana's Hospital Hermanos Ameijeiras. At that time, no diagnosis had been disclosed.
Two specialists from Rome's Hospital Gemelli later traveled to Cuba to join the medical team attending to him. Di Battista expressed gratitude to the Cuban doctors, acknowledging their accuracy in both diagnosis and initial treatment decisions.
His return to Italy was initially planned via an air ambulance covered by his private travel insurance, but the transfer was postponed following a sudden health decline en route to the airport.
On September 6, it was reported that he had undergone emergency surgery at Hermanos Ameijeiras, although the nature of the operation was not revealed at the time.
Di Battista finally returned to Italy on September 12 via air ambulance and continued his recovery at Rome's Hospital Gemelli. La7 reported that he was discharged on the 18th.
Insights on Di Battista's Health Crisis in Cuba
What caused Alessandro Di Battista's hospitalization in Cuba?
Alessandro Di Battista was hospitalized in Cuba due to a brain edema caused by a tumor.
Who performed the surgery on Alessandro Di Battista in Cuba?
The surgery was performed by Cuban neurosurgeon Marlon Ortiz.
What challenges did doctors face during Di Battista's surgery in Cuba?
Doctors faced significant material shortages, including outdated technology and issues with sterilizing surgical instruments due to power shortages.
How did locals assist Di Battista during his hospital stay in Cuba?
Locals helped by bringing buckets of water to the hospital so Di Battista could wash and use the bathroom, as the facility lacked water.