Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva ‘Well’ Following Brain Hemorrhage Surgery

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is reported to be “well” after undergoing surgery for a brain bleed, according to his medical team. The 79-year-old leader was admitted to a hospital in the capital, Brasília, on Monday, having reported a severe headache. An MRI scan identified the hemorrhage, leading to Lula’s transfer to the renowned Sírio-Libanês hospital in São Paulo for the procedure to drain it. The intracranial hemorrhage resulted from a blow to the head he sustained during a fall in his bathroom at the presidential residence in October, as per a hospital statement. Doctors indicated they performed a craniotomy on the president, a surgical procedure involving the temporary removal of a section of bone from the skull to treat the bleed and alleviate pressure, with the bone subsequently being replaced. During a press conference held on Tuesday morning local time, the doctors stated that the president was in a stable condition post-surgery and was conscious. They described Lula as “lucid” and conversing with medical staff. They also affirmed that he had not suffered any brain injury and was not experiencing any after-effects from the operation. Regarding his potential return to the capital, physicians indicated that, assuming a smooth recovery, they anticipate Mr. da Silva’s return to Brasília by “next week.” Earlier, presidential spokesman Paulo Pimenta had stated that Lula would likely remain in the intensive care unit for an additional 48 hours. “He is stable, conscious and calm,” Mr. Pimenta affirmed. While Lula is hospitalized, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin is scheduled to assume certain presidential duties, including receiving Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, whose arrival in Brazil is expected later today. The medical team attributed the bleeding to the fall Lula experienced in October. They clarified that it is not uncommon for complications arising from a head injury to manifest “months later.” On October 19, Lula had slipped in a bathroom at the Alvorada Palace, striking the back of his head. He required five stitches and, following medical recommendations, postponed his scheduled visit to Russia for a summit of the Brics countries. He resumed his full responsibilities within days. Mr. da Silva assumed office on January 1, 2023, having narrowly defeated the then-incumbent, Jair Bolsonaro, in a fiercely contested election. Throughout his election campaign, he frequently quipped about possessing “the energy of a 30-year-old.”