The Cuban government "guaranteed [Orlando Zapata] all the necessary medicines and treatments until his death," says a statement from the Cuban Embassy in Madrid, cited by the Europa Press news agency.
Zapata went on a hunger strike on Dec. 18 and "refused to receive medical attention," the statement goes. Despite his refusal, he was taken to the prison hospital in Camagüey and from there to the Camagüey Provincial Hospital and the Inmates Hospital in Havana.
He died at the renowned Ameijeiras Brothers Hospital (in photo), where he was taken on the eve of his death.
"Everywhere, he underwent clinical studies and was given all necessary medical attention, including intermediate and intensive therapy, and voluntary feedings by parenteral (intravenous) and enteral (nasal tube) means, something that was acknowledged by his own mother," the statement said.
On Feb. 3, Zapata experienced fever that "disappeared" in 24 hours, but later he was diagnosed with pneumonia "which was treated with the most advanced antibiotics and procedures." Because both lungs were affected, "he was aided with artificial respiration until his death."
The embassy's version aims to contradict claims by the Cuban dissident movement that the authorities contributed to Zapata's death by not providing him with proper medical treatment.
–Renato Pérez Pizarro.
He died at the renowned Ameijeiras Brothers Hospital (in photo), where he was taken on the eve of his death.
"Everywhere, he underwent clinical studies and was given all necessary medical attention, including intermediate and intensive therapy, and voluntary feedings by parenteral (intravenous) and enteral (nasal tube) means, something that was acknowledged by his own mother," the statement said.
On Feb. 3, Zapata experienced fever that "disappeared" in 24 hours, but later he was diagnosed with pneumonia "which was treated with the most advanced antibiotics and procedures." Because both lungs were affected, "he was aided with artificial respiration until his death."
The embassy's version aims to contradict claims by the Cuban dissident movement that the authorities contributed to Zapata's death by not providing him with proper medical treatment.
–Renato Pérez Pizarro.
It is true that the Cuban government did make attempts to save the life of Zapata in the final days.
Radio Mambi on Monday (I think) spoke with Reina Luisa Tamayo on the air, and Reina stated that she had been allowed to visit her son in the hospital, and was given permission to visit him twice a day.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Posted by: Mambi Watch | February 25, 2010 at 08:28 PM