Ricardo Martínez Torres, a Cuban doctor, has passed away in Brazil at the age of 60 after a prolonged battle with a serious liver condition. His death was confirmed by both colleagues and members of the Cuban community residing in the South American country.
Martínez Torres succumbed to his illness on October 15th while in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital in Macapá, the capital of Amapá state. He had been hospitalized since April due to severe liver problems, as reported by the Facebook group "Cubans in Curitiba" through the profile "A Cuban in Brazil". According to the account, the doctor was readmitted to the ICU last Wednesday and after being intubated for several hours, he sadly did not survive. During his final moments, one of his daughters was by his side.
The news of his passing was also shared within a network of Holguin doctors on social media. A fellow colleague and former classmate announced his death: "I was informed that Ricardo Martínez Torres, known to us as Papito, has died in Brazil. Our condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace." In the comments, the cause of death was also confirmed.
Originally from Cayo Mambí in Holguín, Dr. Martínez Torres graduated from the Medical University of Santiago de Cuba with dual specializations in Pulmonology and Comprehensive General Medicine (CGM). He was part of the Cuban medical mission under the Mais Médicos program in Brazil, working in a healthcare institution in Colorado do Oeste until 2019. This was before the Cuban regime withdrew over 11,000 healthcare professionals from Brazil as part of an agreement between the two governments.
Like many other doctors from the island, Martínez Torres chose to attempt to "regularize his diploma to continue" practicing in Brazil, according to "A Cuban in Brazil". His passing has deeply affected the Cuban medical community both within and outside of Cuba, as well as his compatriots residing in Brazil. Numerous expressions of sorrow have flooded social media groups and pages. A colleague mentioned in the "Cubans in Curitiba" group that his death came just as he was about to rejoin the Mais Médicos Program. "Rest in peace, our dear friend. His death here in Brazil was very tragic," she expressed. "We all contributed to help his daughter return him to Cuba. My condolences to the entire family and friends."
Another doctor highlighted that in Cuba, he worked for many years at the clinical-surgical hospital in the Holguín territory and was beloved by patients for his compassionate care and expertise.
Questions About the Passing of Ricardo Martínez Torres
What was the cause of Ricardo Martínez Torres' death?
Ricardo Martínez Torres passed away due to severe liver disease.
Where did Ricardo Martínez Torres work in Brazil?
He worked in a healthcare institution in Colorado do Oeste as part of the Mais Médicos program before the Cuban government withdrew its professionals in 2019.
How did the Cuban community react to his death?
His death caused widespread grief and sorrow among the Cuban medical community and compatriots in Brazil, with numerous expressions of condolences shared on social media.