Frequently Asked Questions
How can I know I have RP?
A specialist told me I have RP, and he told me there is no cure. Why shouldn’t I accept this and live with this?
What happens if I apply for the treatment?
My doctor in my home country says the RP treatment in Camilo Cienfuegos Center is not internationally recognized, and that there is no scientific proof it is a valid treatment. Is this true?
Are there any risks involved with the treatment?
How much is the cost for the treatment, how can I pay for it and does my insurance cover it?
Is English spoken at the C. Cienfuegos Centre?
How can I know I have RP?
You can’t know this without going to an ophthalmologist or eye specialist. Only the consultation of a specialist can decide on this. This website does not try to take over the professional work of a specialist.
A specialist told me I have RP, and he told me there is no cure. Why shouldn’t I accept this and live with this?
Of course you can. That’s entirely up to you. The treatment in the Camilo Cienfuegos Center in Havana offers you a treatment that has a good chance of stopping the progress of the disease. But the decision is entirely up to the patient.
What happens if I apply for the treatment?
By applying for the treatment a medical team will first evaluate your case based on your medical file as you sent it. Once approved this way the first week of the treatment will consist purely of tests that will give the medical team in the Center a confirmation of your medical record and extra information they need. The ophthalmologists of the Center will then decide about the treatment for the patient and it is up to the patient to decide if (s)he wants to begin with the treatment or not.
My doctor in my home country says the RP treatment in Camilo Cienfuegos Center is not internationally recognized, and that there is no scientific proof it is a valid treatment. Is this true?
It is correct the treatment is not recognized by the international medical society. Within the Cuban medical world though the treatment is completely accepted and nation wide it is applied to RP patients. The reasons for which this recognition has not yet been “exported” are varied. First of all the political isolation of this Socialist third world country in the Capitalist first world medical society has caused that all Cuban medical innovations are scrutinized with exagerated sceptiscism. Second of all the priorities of the Ministry of Public Health are foremost with the services towards its own population. The treatment of RP has been succesfully offered to the local population and the work of Dr Pelaez has reached with this its primary goal.
The treatment of RP as it is offered in Cuba is going through a long process of “internationalization” thanks to the initiatives of the Cuban government called “Operacion Milagro”. Many people from Venezuela, Bolivia, and many other mostly Latin American countries receive medical services in Cuba or in their homeland by Cuban doctors. This way this unique treatment of RP is getting the international recognition it deserves.
Are there any risks involved with the treatment?
There are no cases of patients that have lost eye sight due to the treatment. First of all patients are well examined at the center before the treatment begins. During treatment patients are under constant medical surveillance by specialists of different disciplines. On top the treatment consists of a minor operation, an ozone therapy and electro-magnetic therapy. All this does not cause any side effects.
How much is the cost for the treatment, how can I pay for it and does my insurance cover it?
The cost for the treatment are the official public rates and the same for all foreign patients. Exact current rates are readily sent to you on request by our team of medical consultants. Just ask for it by sending an email to info@retinitis-pigmentosa.com. In comparison to similar treatments in other countries prices are very reasonable.
You can pay by bank wire directly to the Camilo Cienfuegos Centre or to one of its representatives in Europe like Erkamed in Germany. It is possible to pay by credit card or even in cash at the Centre in Havana. Prices are in the local currency CUC but it has a fixed conversion towards the USD.
If your insurance covers the treatment is a personal matter and most be seen with your health insurance agency. The Camilo Cienfuegos Center provides all necessary paperwork to proof you did the treatment.
Is English spoken at the C. Cienfuegos Centre?
The language of Cuba is Spanish but in the International RP Centre in Havana the medical staff has some notion of English. On top there are a number of freelance interpreters with excellent knowledge of English. They can be hired on the spot for the key consultations with the specialists and in case of a communication difficulty. And also our medical consultant Tony Barciela speaks well English. He will be your first contact before and also during and even after the treatment.