In critical condition, Rafa, the Cuban boy who needs a liver transplant
The little Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera, just eight months old, is in critical condition at the William Soler Hospital in Havana, while his family urgently pleads for help to save his life.
According to reported by activist Yamilka Lafita (Lara Crofs), who has closely followed the case, the baby went more than 24 hours without urinating, indicating acute renal failure that poses an imminent threat to his life.
Doctors warned that if he did not manage to urinate soon, the damage to his organs could become irreversible. An aggressive bacterial infection localized in the kidneys has triggered a severe systemic inflammatory response, also compromising his neurological system.
To try to stabilize him, specialists are administering an intensive treatment that includes powerful antibiotics such as fosfomycin, vancomycin, and amikacin, as well as broad-spectrum antipyretics and mannitol, an emergency diuretic aimed at preventing cerebral edema.
Despite these efforts, the outlook is uncertain, and every hour is crucial for their survival.
In a recent update on the case, Lafita reported that the baby remains on ventilation and continues to be very irritable, although there was a small amount of urine output, which brings hope in such a complicated situation.
The family of the minor has made an urgent call for solidarity through social media, requesting visibility and prayers.
Two weeks ago, the parents of the little one, Yanet Carrera, 31 years old, and Rafael Chávez, 37, made an urgent appeal for help to undergo a liver transplant.
Rafa, as he is affectionately called, was initially admitted for 14 days at the Roberto Rodríguez Fernández Hospital, and then transferred to the Antonio Luaces Iraola Hospital in Ciego de Ávila, where after 72 hours a gastroenterologist decided to send him to William Soler Hospital in Havana due to suspicion of biliary atresia.
In the capital, doctors diagnosed her with idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, and they started a treatment, but Rafa’s health continued to deteriorate.
After confirming liver failure, the doctors indicated that the child urgently needed a liver transplant.
Her mother turned out to be a compatible donor, but the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba does not offer her a viable medical solution.
In contrast, the doctors at La Paz University Hospital in Spain, who successfully treated little Amanda, are willing to welcome more Cuban children.
Nevertheless, given the seriousness of the situation, the family decided to monitor the child’s progress before taking the next step and starting a fundraising campaign to transfer him to Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions about the health situation of the Cuban child Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera
Why does the child Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera need a liver transplant?
Rafael Junior Chávez Carrera, an eight-month-old Cuban baby, urgently requires a liver transplant because he suffers from idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, a condition that has led to liver failure, a disease that cannot be treated in Cuba due to the lack of necessary medical resources for performing liver transplants.
What is Rafael Junior’s current health status and what treatments is he receiving?
The health status of Rafael Junior is critical; he is suffering from acute renal failure and an aggressive bacterial infection. He is hospitalized at the William Soler Hospital in Havana, receiving intensive treatment with antibiotics and diuretics in an attempt to stabilize his condition while a definitive solution is sought.
What steps has the family taken to obtain a liver transplant outside of Cuba?
Rafael Junior’s family has reached out for help on social media and is considering transferring him to Spain, where La Paz University Hospital has expressed willingness to perform the transplant. However, they are monitoring the child’s progress before launching a fundraising campaign to cover the costs of the transfer and operation.
Why can’t the Cuban healthcare system perform the necessary liver transplant?
In Cuba, liver transplants are not performed due to a lack of medical resources and adequate infrastructure. Cases like that of Rafael Junior highlight the limitations of the Cuban healthcare system, which has faced strong criticism for its lack of attention to complex diseases and its inability to provide advanced medical solutions.
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