Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Recovering Well After Brain Surgery

Brazil's 79-year-old President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is doing well post-surgery for a brain bleed, according to medical updates.

 

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is recovering steadily after undergoing surgery for a brain bleed, his medical team announced. The 79-year-old leader was admitted to a hospital in Brasília on Monday after experiencing severe headaches. An MRI revealed an intracranial hemorrhage which was determined to be a result of a fall he sustained at the presidential residence in October. He was subsequently transferred to the highly-regarded Sírio-Libanês hospital in São Paulo for treatment.

During a surgical procedure known as a craniotomy, a portion of Lula's skull was temporarily removed to alleviate the pressure from the bleed. Doctors confirmed that the president was in stable condition, conscious, and alert following the operation. In a press conference held on Tuesday, they stated that Lula was "lucid" and engaging with the medical staff while reassuring the public that there was no lasting brain damage from the incident.

If all continues to progress positively, doctors anticipate that President Lula could return to the capital by next week. Meanwhile, his spokesman, Paulo Pimenta, indicated that the president may remain in the intensive care unit for an additional 48 hours for monitoring. Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin has been appointed to oversee the president's duties during this period, including the welcoming of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is arriving in Brazil later today.

The bleeding was linked to an incident from October 19, when Lula slipped in the Alvorada Palace bathroom and hit the back of his head, necessitating five stitches. Following medical advice, he had canceled a planned trip to Russia for an important summit, although he returned to his official responsibilities shortly thereafter. The president, who has been in office since January 1, 2023, previously joked about having "the energy of a 30-year-old" during his election campaign against Jair Bolsonaro.