Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to undergo another medical procedure on Thursday as part of his recovery after emergency surgery earlier this week to address a bleed on his brain.
Doctors at the Sírio-Libanês Hospital in São Paulo, where Lula is being treated, announced that the upcoming procedure will be done Thursday morning. It’s part of his ongoing treatment plan, according to a statement released by the hospital on Wednesday.
Dr. Roberto Kalil, Lula’s personal physician, explained to reporters that this next step is more of a precaution. “It’s a follow-up to Tuesday’s surgery,” he said. The procedure involves a catheterization targeting a specific artery near the outer layer of the brain. “When a hematoma is drained, there’s a small chance that tiny arteries in the area could bleed again in the future,” Kalil added.
The good news is that the president didn’t suffer any brain damage. Dr. Kalil reassured the public that the bleeding was outside the brain and has been completely removed.
Lula, who’s 79 years old, is currently recovering in the hospital’s intensive care unit. A hospital update said he had a good day, without any complications. He even managed to do some physiotherapy, walk around a bit, and spend time with his family. The medical team is closely monitoring his progress.
This all started because of a fall Lula had at his home back in October. He hit his head, requiring stitches, and doctors have been keeping an eye on him ever since. Earlier this week, Lula began complaining of worsening headaches during a congressional event in Brasília. After being examined at a local hospital, an MRI scan revealed a bleed in his skull. He was quickly flown to São Paulo for surgery.
For now, Lula has cut back on his official travel plans as he focuses on healing. This health scare has raised concerns, especially as he’s midway through his third term as president—a role that’s always demanding, but particularly so for someone in their late 70s.
The entire country is keeping an eye on his recovery, and supporters are hopeful for a full comeback soon.
