The family of Ashlin Naara Perdomo Núñez, a young girl from Matanzas known for her serious neurological condition since 2020, is once again facing a dire situation.
Her mother, Yeni Núñez Jerez, has made an urgent appeal for help on the Facebook group "Todos Somos Ashlin" to obtain essential medications that Ashlin desperately needs while battling complications from chikungunya.
Núñez described that her daughter has been suffering from excessive phlegm and breathing difficulties for four months, and symptoms linked to chikungunya emerged two months ago. Although there was a brief improvement, the weekend brought a return of fever along with severe body pain.
This plea highlights a harsh reality for many Cuban families: even the most basic medications are out of reach.
To stabilize her daughter, Ashlin's mother needs rehydration salts or Pedialyte, Albuterol, Acetylcysteine or Ambroxol, and Clonazepam—drugs commonly available in other countries but nearly impossible to find in Cuba.
"I know almost everything is extinct here, but please, if anyone has these medications that Ashlin needs, contact me at 53-58664462," wrote Yeni.
She expressed gratitude for the solidarity that has sustained her daughter over the years.
A Child Fighting Two Battles: A Rare Disease and a System That Fails Her Ashlin’s story first captured attention in 2020 when her mother sought a humanitarian visa to the United States due to the lack of diagnostic technology in Cuba.
At four, Ashlin showed symptoms of Krabbe disease, a rare neurodegenerative disorder whose sole treatment is a stem cell transplant—a procedure not available in Cuba.
After reaching Miami, the family spent ten months under medical care, where doctors confirmed the incurable nature of her condition and the limited life expectancy.
Despite the heartbreaking diagnosis, Núñez continued to seek ways to improve her daughter's quality of life, even exploring new treatment possibilities before considering a return to Florida.
Eventually, they returned to Cuba, where her mother persistently sought essential medications that the health system could not provide.
In 2023, she had to request ketotifen, a simple antihistamine, unavailable for a month, worsening Ashlin's respiratory issues and necessitating oxygen use.
That same year, Núñez also demanded the housing promised by the government due to Ashlin's medical condition. The family lives in a remote batey, far from hospitals and lacking basic amenities.
Now, with the onset of chikungunya, Ashlin's vulnerability is exacerbated.
By age five, Ashlin lost her vision, has limited mobility, and requires constant care. The viral infection only intensifies an already critical situation.
A Health Crisis in a Defenseless Nation Ashlin's case is part of a widespread wave of infections sweeping through Cuba. Thousands fall ill daily as the worn-out healthcare system struggles to cope.
The scarcity of medications is the norm. Hospital conditions—obsolete technology, lack of supplies, dilapidated wards, and understaffing—compound the risks for fragile patients like Ashlin.
Chikungunya is hitting the population hard, with many families lacking even basic hydration solutions. Although authorities acknowledge the outbreak's severity, concrete responses remain minimal.
Ashlin's plight is not unique but rather a reflection of a country where falling ill means depending on the kindness of others.
Every day, new families turn to social media, pleading for medications that should be readily available in any functional healthcare system.
In Cuba, survival hinges on citizen solidarity because the state, unable to provide the basics, leaves its sick at the mercy of chance.
And once again, Ashlin's life depends on someone finding—and sharing—the medications that the country cannot supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ashlin's Condition and Cuba's Healthcare Crisis
What is Krabbe disease?
Krabbe disease is a rare and inherited neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. It is caused by a deficiency of the enzyme galactocerebrosidase and typically leads to severe neurological impairment.
Why are medications scarce in Cuba?
Cuba faces significant challenges in its healthcare system, including economic constraints, supply chain issues, and a lack of resources, leading to widespread medication shortages.
How is Ashlin's family managing her care?
Ashlin's family relies heavily on the solidarity of others for essential medications and care, as the Cuban healthcare system is unable to meet their needs.