Lula was initially scheduled to depart at 5 PM on Sunday. In an interview with GloboNews, his doctor, Roberto Kalil, explained that the president experienced “great” trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches and leading to a “small brain hemorrhage” in the temporal-frontal region.
“It’s a condition that will require repeat tests throughout the week. Any brain hemorrhage, theoretically, can worsen in the following days, so observation is important,” Kalil noted, while reassuring that Lula was doing well and could engage in regular activities.
A medical report from Sirio Libanes Hospital in Brasília indicated that Lula suffered a laceration to the occipital region of the back of his head during the fall on Saturday. The report advised against long-distance air travel but confirmed that he is otherwise capable of performing his duties.
In light of the situation, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has been designated to lead Brazil’s delegation at the BRICS summit, which is set to take place from October 22 to 24 in Kazan. The delegation departed on Sunday.
Gleisi Hoffmann, a congresswoman and president of Lula’s Workers’ Party, reassured the public after speaking with the president, stating, “He is doing very well, just avoiding a long trip.”