Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underwent emergency surgery in São Paulo to drain a brain hemorrhage after he suffered a fall in late October. According to a medical statement released by the government on Tuesday, the operation was successful, and the 79-year-old president’s condition is stable; he remains in intensive care for close monitoring.
Doctors performed the procedure at Sirio Libanês Hospital after an MRI scan detected intracranial bleeding, Reuters said.
The scan was conducted following worsening headaches Lula experienced during a Monday evening meeting with congressional leaders. The president’s team confirmed he had complained of increasing discomfort before being transferred from Brasília to São Paulo for surgery.
The medical team has scheduled a press conference at 9 a.m. local time to provide further updates on his condition.
President Lula’s health has been a growing concern as he progresses through his third non-consecutive term. The fall in October had left him with trauma to the back of his head, which resulted in a minor brain hemorrhage.
Routine follow up tests in November indicated stability, allowing him to continue his duties, including recent travel to Uruguay for discussions on the Mercosur trade agreement.
However, medical advice had led him to cancel a planned trip to Russia for the BRICS summit in Kazan, stressing the need to avoid long-haul flights during his recovery.