Napu Boychuk’s vacation in Cuba last December took a horrific turn after a swimming accident left him paralyzed. After receiving emergency care, he was supposed to return to Toronto, but he and his family refused, electing to stay in Cuba due to its health system, even if they must pay medical costs out of pocket.
On December 13, Napu, a 29-year-old Inuit ballet dancer, was out swimming when he was pulled underwater by an undertow, causing him to hit a rock and nearly drown. The impact also injured his spine. He received first aid at a clinic in Varadero before being transferred to Faustino Perez hospital in Matanzas, and was later transferred to the modern facility of Cira Garcia hospital in Havana.
After a few days at Cira Garcia, Napu’s attending doctors and the emergency medical flight team agreed that it was time to fly him back to Toronto, but after deliberation, his father Dan and sister Tuutalik decided that he would stay in Cuba.
Part of the decision, according to Tuutalik, was the way Napu was treated. Their mother died of cancer in 2003, after spending time in several Toronto hospitals.
However, by remaining in Cuba, Napu was at risk of being cut off from travel insurance. Tourists to Cuba must show proof of insurance before being allowed to enter, so Dan bought travel insurance for the family before the trip.
“The idea of travel insurance is to get you back home as soon as possible,” said Wendy Hope, a spokesperson for the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, representing life and health insurers in Canada. “It’s not a matter of choice of care or where you want to have the care delivered. The purpose of travel insurance is to repatriate you as soon as you’re able.”
By January 7, the family was informed that Napu was no longer insured, meaning his any further medical expenses would come out of pocket. His family still decided to remain in Cuba.
Various fundraising efforts in Canada have raised over C$40,000 to help with medical costs, as Napu undergoes daily physiotherapy sessions, and is showing positive signs of recovery. According to Dan, his son will soon be discharged from the hospital, and will be moved to a rented house nearby, where he will continue receiving 24-hour nursing and physiotherapy.
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