Cuban Government Ignores Repeated Requests for Independent Medical Examination
Washington, D.C. - In an independent review of Alan Gross’s medical records transmitted yesterday to the Government of Cuba, Dr. Alan A. Cohen concluded “[i]t is my opinion that Mr. Gross has a potentially life-threatening medical problem that has not been adequately evaluated to modern medical standards.”
Dr. Cohen, a board-certified radiologist, reviewed a range of CT and ultrasound scans of Alan Gross’s right shoulder, where there has been an unidentified mass for more than five months. Beyond noting the mislabeling of some of the studies which raises questions as to whether the images are of Alan’s shoulder, he concluded the tumor was “probably not an organizing hematoma as diagnosed” by Cuban doctors. This conclusion is reinforced by claims by Cuban doctors to Mr. Gross back in May 2012 that the “hematoma” would be reabsorbed within a few months at most. This has not happened. He adds “[a] soft tissue mass in an adult who has lost considerable weight must be assumed to represent a malignant tumor unless proven to be benign.” Mr. Gross has lost 105 pounds since the beginning of his incarceration in December 2009. Dr. Cohen concludes “Mr. Gross’s right-shoulder mass has yet to be properly evaluated and presents a potentially lethal outcome unless fully and properly evaluated with MRI prior to and following contrast and potentially a biopsy, preferably in a facility in the United States, immediately.”
Jared Genser, Alan’s international lawyer observed: “This report definitively rejects Cuban government claims that Alan Gross’s health is ‘normal.’ It is apparent it actually doesn’t have evidence to reach this conclusion. Cuban government doctors are either guilty of gross professional negligence or they are intentionally hiding what could be a lethal condition.”
Judy Gross, Alan’s wife also responded to the report: “I am incredibly upset by this independent review of Alan’s medical records. The Cuban government keeps making public claims Alan’s health is ‘normal,’ but they have repeatedly denied him access to a private medical examination. President Castro, I beg you not to let my husband die on your watch. Your country claims to have such a wonderful health care system – yet why have your doctors misdiagnosed him and failed to order the right tests to determine what is actually happening? Please let us have Alan diagnosed by a doctor of his choosing before it is too late.”
