Di Battista: 'I feel better, I will leave Cuba this Friday'

Alessandro Di Battista says he feels better and plans to leave Cuba on Friday, Sept. 4, aboard an air ambulance covered by his travel insurance.

The former Five Star Movement lawmaker said he had experienced difficult days but remained optimistic. He thanked Cuban doctors, saying Italian physicians had confirmed that they had acted skillfully and quickly in diagnosing him and choosing his initial treatment.

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Today I feel better. They have been difficult days, but at the same time I am optimistic and always try to see the positive in everything.

Di Battista has been hospitalized in serious condition since Friday evening after suffering severe headaches. He was first treated in Santa Clara and later transferred to Havana. Two specialists from Rome's Gemelli hospital flew to the Cuban capital to work alongside doctors at Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital. They may join the flight taking Di Battista back to Rome, depending on whether he is judged fit to travel.

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I thank the Cuban doctors who, as the Italian doctors confirmed to me, were very skilled and prompt in diagnosing me and choosing the initial treatment.

His partner, Sahra Lahouasnia, the mother of his two children, and Luca Di Giuseppe, president of the association Schierarsi, have also been with him. Di Giuseppe urged caution in sharing information and said official updates would come directly from Di Battista and his family.

A private medical flight remains the plan announced by Di Battista, although a government aircraft has also been considered. The insurance policy taken out before his trip is expected to cover the costs in either case. Di Battista traveled to Cuba to produce reports for Il Fatto Quotidiano and TvLoft. The newspaper and Giuseppe Conte's party have offered to cover any additional expenses.

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We ask for caution in spreading information. Official updates will be provided directly by Alessandro and his family.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said 25 Italians had already received medical repatriation assistance this summer. "From lawmaker Di Battista to young Younes, everyone has received assistance with the same spirit, the same availability, and the same desire to help our fellow citizens," Tajani said.

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From lawmaker Di Battista to young Younes, everyone has received assistance with the same spirit, the same availability, and the same desire to help our fellow citizens.