Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was to return to Brasilia on Thursday and resume his regular duties after getting the go-ahead from his doctors following emergency head surgery, officials said.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was to return to Brasilia on Thursday and resume his regular duties after getting the go-ahead from his doctors following emergency head surgery, officials said. Lula "will return to the capital on Thursday after having received medical authorisation to take plane trips," the government said in an online statement on X. The 79-year-old president had been convalescing in Sao Paulo, where he had his surgery last week to stop intracranial bleeding that was putting pressure on his brain. He was seen leaving the Hospital Sirio-Libanes in Sao Paulo wearing a brimmed hat and giving a thumbs-up, but making no comment to the media. A final medical check-up on Thursday "was extremely satisfactory -- he is well," Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, told journalists. "Quite simply, the hematoma no longer exists," he said. The doctor added that Lula had been instructed to avoid physical exercise but "obviously he will be able to do normal activities -- his cognition is perfect; he can work." Another of Lula's doctors, Ana Helena Germoglio, said that Lula was going directly from the hospital to Brasilia, where he would spend Christmas. Watch | UK Becoming The Western Capital For Sharia Courts Lula had his emergency surgery, which involved drilling through his skull, on December 10, after coming down with a headache a day earlier that a scan determined was bleeding in intracranial membranes. The haemorrhage was linked to a bad fall he suffered on October 19, when he slipped in the bathroom in his presidential residence in Brasilia. After a follow-up procedure in the hospital on December 12 to prevent blood flow to the area, Lula posted an online video showing him walking through a corridor with Kalil. On Sunday, Lula was discharged to continue his convalescence in his private Sao Paulo home, pending Thursday's final approval to travel. Health issues Even with the all-clear, Lula's health has been the subject of concern over the years. He had successful treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year. In the weeks following his October fall, which required stitches to his head, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting leaders of the G20 grouping in Rio and attending a regional summit in Uruguay. The succession of problems has cast a shadow over the possibility of Lula running for re-election in Brazil's next presidential polls in 2026. Once back in Brasilia, Lula was to participate in a ministerial meeting on Friday. The president's health scare and recovery come as his government seeks congressional approval of budget changes that have created unease in the market. Also read | Russia's Putin praises Jaishankar’s ‘BRICS isn’t anti-Western’ stance; calls Modi a ‘warm ally’ The Brazilian currency, the real, has weakened considerably this year, losing more than a quarter of its value. Since late November it has been sharply losing ground against the US dollar, which on Thursday was fetching around 6.15 reais. The depreciation was expected to continue despite Brazil's central bank last week raising its key rate to 12.25 per cent -- its third consecutive hike. Those rate increases, which the bank signalled were likely to continue, are to counter persistently high inflation, which is running at an annualized rate of 4.87 per cent, according to the latest data in November. That is well above the bank's target of three per cent, and even above its upper tolerance threshold of 4.5 per cent. But other indicators are doing well in the Brazilian economy -- Latin America's largest -- with growth expected to exceed three per cent this year and unemployment at a 12-year low of 6.2 per cent. Nevertheless, investors are worried about the government's ability to impose fiscal discipline, especially in the face of creeping public expenditure. At the end of November, Brasilia unveiled budget adjustments designed to cut around $11 billion in spending, but they also came with tax breaks for the country's middle class. Lula's government is betting the lower tax take for that segment will be offset by the higher imposition on high earners -- but investors appear unconvinced. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Brazil's Lula returns to regular duties after brain surgery

Sao Paulo, Brazil 
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Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was to return to Brasilia on Thursday and resume his regular duties after getting the go-ahead from his doctors following emergency head surgery, officials said.
Lula "will return to the capital on Thursday after having received medical authorisation to take plane trips," the government said in an online statement on X.
The 79-year-old president had been convalescing in Sao Paulo, where he had his surgery last week to stop intracranial bleeding that was putting pressure on his brain.
He was seen leaving the Hospital Sirio-Libanes in Sao Paulo wearing a brimmed hat and giving a thumbs-up, but making no comment to the media.
A final medical check-up on Thursday "was extremely satisfactory -- he is well," Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, told journalists.
"Quite simply, the hematoma no longer exists," he said.
The doctor added that Lula had been instructed to avoid physical exercise but "obviously he will be able to do normal activities -- his cognition is perfect; he can work."
Another of Lula's doctors, Ana Helena Germoglio, said that Lula was going directly from the hospital to Brasilia, where he would spend Christmas.
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Lula had his emergency surgery, which involved drilling through his skull, on December 10, after coming down with a headache a day earlier that a scan determined was bleeding in intracranial membranes.
The haemorrhage was linked to a bad fall he suffered on October 19, when he slipped in the bathroom in his presidential residence in Brasilia.
After a follow-up procedure in the hospital on December 12 to prevent blood flow to the area, Lula posted an online video showing him walking through a corridor with Kalil.
On Sunday, Lula was discharged to continue his convalescence in his private Sao Paulo home, pending Thursday's final approval to travel.
<h2>Health issues</h2>
Even with the all-clear, Lula's health has been the subject of concern over the years.
He had successful treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year.
In the weeks following his October fall, which required stitches to his head, the president skipped planned overseas trips. 
But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting leaders of the G20 grouping in Rio and attending a regional summit in Uruguay.
The succession of problems has cast a shadow over the possibility of Lula running for re-election in Brazil's next presidential polls in 2026.
Once back in Brasilia, Lula was to participate in a ministerial meeting on Friday.
The president's health scare and recovery come as his government seeks congressional approval of budget changes that have created unease in the market.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-putin-praises-jaishankars-brics-isnt-anti-western-stance-calls-modi-a-warm-ally-785405">Russia's Putin praises Jaishankar’s ‘BRICS isn’t anti-Western’ stance; calls Modi a ‘warm ally’</a>
The Brazilian currency, the real, has weakened considerably this year, losing more than a quarter of its value. 
Since late November it has been sharply losing ground against the US dollar, which on Thursday was fetching around 6.15 reais.
The depreciation was expected to continue despite Brazil's central bank last week raising its key rate to 12.25 per cent -- its third consecutive hike.
Those rate increases, which the bank signalled were likely to continue, are to counter persistently high inflation, which is running at an annualized rate of 4.87 per cent, according to the latest data in November. 
That is well above the bank's target of three per cent, and even above its upper tolerance threshold of 4.5 per cent.
But other indicators are doing well in the Brazilian economy -- Latin America's largest -- with growth expected to exceed three per cent this year and unemployment at a 12-year low of 6.2 per cent.
Nevertheless, investors are worried about the government's ability to impose fiscal discipline, especially in the face of creeping public expenditure.
At the end of November, Brasilia unveiled budget adjustments designed to cut around $11 billion in spending, but they also came with tax breaks for the country's middle class.
Lula's government is betting the lower tax take for that segment will be offset by the higher imposition on high earners -- but investors appear unconvinced.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The doctor added that Lula had been instructed to avoid physical exercise but "obviously he will be able to do normal activities -- his cognition is perfect; he can work."



Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was to return to Brasilia on Thursday and resume his regular duties after getting the go-ahead from his doctors following emergency head surgery, officials said. Lula "will return to the capital on Thursday after having received medical authorisation to take plane trips," the government said in an online statement on X. The 79-year-old president had been convalescing in Sao Paulo, where he had his surgery last week to stop intracranial bleeding that was putting pressure on his brain. He was seen leaving the Hospital Sirio-Libanes in Sao Paulo wearing a brimmed hat and giving a thumbs-up, but making no comment to the media. A final medical check-up on Thursday "was extremely satisfactory -- he is well," Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, told journalists. "Quite simply, the hematoma no longer exists," he said. The doctor added that Lula had been instructed to avoid physical exercise but "obviously he will be able to do normal activities -- his cognition is perfect; he can work." Another of Lula's doctors, Ana Helena Germoglio, said that Lula was going directly from the hospital to Brasilia, where he would spend Christmas. Watch | UK Becoming The Western Capital For Sharia Courts Lula had his emergency surgery, which involved drilling through his skull, on December 10, after coming down with a headache a day earlier that a scan determined was bleeding in intracranial membranes. The haemorrhage was linked to a bad fall he suffered on October 19, when he slipped in the bathroom in his presidential residence in Brasilia. After a follow-up procedure in the hospital on December 12 to prevent blood flow to the area, Lula posted an online video showing him walking through a corridor with Kalil. On Sunday, Lula was discharged to continue his convalescence in his private Sao Paulo home, pending Thursday's final approval to travel. Health issues Even with the all-clear, Lula's health has been the subject of concern over the years. He had successful treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year. In the weeks following his October fall, which required stitches to his head, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting leaders of the G20 grouping in Rio and attending a regional summit in Uruguay. The succession of problems has cast a shadow over the possibility of Lula running for re-election in Brazil's next presidential polls in 2026. Once back in Brasilia, Lula was to participate in a ministerial meeting on Friday. The president's health scare and recovery come as his government seeks congressional approval of budget changes that have created unease in the market. Also read | Russia's Putin praises Jaishankar’s ‘BRICS isn’t anti-Western’ stance; calls Modi a ‘warm ally’ The Brazilian currency, the real, has weakened considerably this year, losing more than a quarter of its value. Since late November it has been sharply losing ground against the US dollar, which on Thursday was fetching around 6.15 reais. The depreciation was expected to continue despite Brazil's central bank last week raising its key rate to 12.25 per cent -- its third consecutive hike. Those rate increases, which the bank signalled were likely to continue, are to counter persistently high inflation, which is running at an annualized rate of 4.87 per cent, according to the latest data in November. That is well above the bank's target of three per cent, and even above its upper tolerance threshold of 4.5 per cent. But other indicators are doing well in the Brazilian economy -- Latin America's largest -- with growth expected to exceed three per cent this year and unemployment at a 12-year low of 6.2 per cent. Nevertheless, investors are worried about the government's ability to impose fiscal discipline, especially in the face of creeping public expenditure. At the end of November, Brasilia unveiled budget adjustments designed to cut around $11 billion in spending, but they also came with tax breaks for the country's middle class. Lula's government is betting the lower tax take for that segment will be offset by the higher imposition on high earners -- but investors appear unconvinced. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial haemorrhage.

"I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes.

He later smiled and waved to reporters as he left the hospital.

Lula had successful surgery Tuesday, in which doctors drilled through his skull to relieve the pressure that built up after a blow to the head in October when he fell in a bathroom in his presidential residence in the capital Brasilia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-greenlights-11-million-plan-to-double-golan-heights-population-amid-regional-tensions-784232">Israel greenlights $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population amid regional tensions</a>

On Thursday, he underwent a follow-up operation to minimize the risk of further bleeding in the affected area of the protective intracranial membranes.&nbsp;

The president can resume activities but will need to take it easy for 15 days, cardiologist Roberto Kalil said at the news conference.

Lula will remain in São Paulo until Thursday, when he will undergo follow-up tests. Once cleared, he will be able to return to Brasilia and his normal routine.

"The only restriction is physical exercise," said Kalil.

Another doctor, Ana Helena Germoglio, said Lula's recovery has "exceeded expectations."

Known for his frenetic work pace, Lula burst into the news conference Sunday without warning and approached the microphones, walking unassisted.

He addressed reporters while wearing a fedora-style hat that covered up signs of his operations, accompanied by his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-breaks-silence-labels-yoon-a-ringleader-of-rebellion-amid-south-koreas-political-crisis-784247">North Korea breaks silence, labels Yoon a 'ringleader of rebellion' amid South Korea's political crisis</a>

Lula's medical emergency started when he complained last Monday of a headache while in Brasilia.&nbsp;

"I felt like my steps were slowing down, my eyes were red and I was very sleepy," he said.

An MRI scan found a haemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it, prompting his swift transport to Hospital Sirio-Libanes -- the country's top medical facility -- for surgery.

"I confess I was scared by the volume of fluid growth in my head. I was worried by the urgency of the request" to go to the hospital, he said.

"I never think I'm going to die, but I'm scared, so I need to follow the rules," Lula said, adding that he will not go to the beach for the end-of-year holidays, as many Brazilians do.

"I'm going home now," he told reporters, "calm, sure that I'm cured and that I just need to take care of myself."&nbsp;

After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula had told an official from his Workers' Party that the accident was "serious."

In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit in Uruguay.

The latest medical emergency adds to a list of health problems Lula has suffered over the years, including treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial haemorrhage. "I am here in one piece.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial haemorrhage. "I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes. He later smiled and waved to reporters as he left the hospital. Lula had successful surgery Tuesday, in which doctors drilled through his skull to relieve the pressure that built up after a blow to the head in October when he fell in a bathroom in his presidential residence in the capital Brasilia. Also read | Israel greenlights $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population amid regional tensions On Thursday, he underwent a follow-up operation to minimize the risk of further bleeding in the affected area of the protective intracranial membranes. The president can resume activities but will need to take it easy for 15 days, cardiologist Roberto Kalil said at the news conference. Lula will remain in São Paulo until Thursday, when he will undergo follow-up tests. Once cleared, he will be able to return to Brasilia and his normal routine. "The only restriction is physical exercise," said Kalil. Another doctor, Ana Helena Germoglio, said Lula's recovery has "exceeded expectations." Known for his frenetic work pace, Lula burst into the news conference Sunday without warning and approached the microphones, walking unassisted. He addressed reporters while wearing a fedora-style hat that covered up signs of his operations, accompanied by his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva. Also read | North Korea breaks silence, labels Yoon a 'ringleader of rebellion' amid South Korea's political crisis Lula's medical emergency started when he complained last Monday of a headache while in Brasilia. "I felt like my steps were slowing down, my eyes were red and I was very sleepy," he said. An MRI scan found a haemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it, prompting his swift transport to Hospital Sirio-Libanes -- the country's top medical facility -- for surgery. "I confess I was scared by the volume of fluid growth in my head. I was worried by the urgency of the request" to go to the hospital, he said. "I never think I'm going to die, but I'm scared, so I need to follow the rules," Lula said, adding that he will not go to the beach for the end-of-year holidays, as many Brazilians do. "I'm going home now," he told reporters, "calm, sure that I'm cured and that I just need to take care of myself." After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula had told an official from his Workers' Party that the accident was "serious." In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit in Uruguay. The latest medical emergency adds to a list of health problems Lula has suffered over the years, including treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazilian President Lula discharged from hospital following emergency brain surgery

Sao Paulo, Brazil
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial haemorrhage.
"I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes.
He later smiled and waved to reporters as he left the hospital.
Lula had successful surgery Tuesday, in which doctors drilled through his skull to relieve the pressure that built up after a blow to the head in October when he fell in a bathroom in his presidential residence in the capital Brasilia.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-greenlights-11-million-plan-to-double-golan-heights-population-amid-regional-tensions-784232">Israel greenlights $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population amid regional tensions</a>
On Thursday, he underwent a follow-up operation to minimize the risk of further bleeding in the affected area of the protective intracranial membranes. 
The president can resume activities but will need to take it easy for 15 days, cardiologist Roberto Kalil said at the news conference.
Lula will remain in São Paulo until Thursday, when he will undergo follow-up tests. Once cleared, he will be able to return to Brasilia and his normal routine.
"The only restriction is physical exercise," said Kalil.
Another doctor, Ana Helena Germoglio, said Lula's recovery has "exceeded expectations."
Known for his frenetic work pace, Lula burst into the news conference Sunday without warning and approached the microphones, walking unassisted.
He addressed reporters while wearing a fedora-style hat that covered up signs of his operations, accompanied by his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-breaks-silence-labels-yoon-a-ringleader-of-rebellion-amid-south-koreas-political-crisis-784247">North Korea breaks silence, labels Yoon a 'ringleader of rebellion' amid South Korea's political crisis</a>
Lula's medical emergency started when he complained last Monday of a headache while in Brasilia. 
"I felt like my steps were slowing down, my eyes were red and I was very sleepy," he said.
An MRI scan found a haemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it, prompting his swift transport to Hospital Sirio-Libanes -- the country's top medical facility -- for surgery.
"I confess I was scared by the volume of fluid growth in my head. I was worried by the urgency of the request" to go to the hospital, he said.
"I never think I'm going to die, but I'm scared, so I need to follow the rules," Lula said, adding that he will not go to the beach for the end-of-year holidays, as many Brazilians do.
"I'm going home now," he told reporters, "calm, sure that I'm cured and that I just need to take care of myself." 
After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula had told an official from his Workers' Party that the accident was "serious."
In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit in Uruguay.
The latest medical emergency adds to a list of health problems Lula has suffered over the years, including treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year.
(With inputs from agencies)

"I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes



Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was discharged Sunday from a Sao Paulo hospital following emergency surgery to treat an intracranial haemorrhage. "I am here in one piece... returning home calmly," the 79-year-old leftist leader said as he made a surprise appearance at a news conference by his medical team at Hospital Sirio-Libanes. He later smiled and waved to reporters as he left the hospital. Lula had successful surgery Tuesday, in which doctors drilled through his skull to relieve the pressure that built up after a blow to the head in October when he fell in a bathroom in his presidential residence in the capital Brasilia. Also read | Israel greenlights $11 million plan to 'double' Golan Heights population amid regional tensions On Thursday, he underwent a follow-up operation to minimize the risk of further bleeding in the affected area of the protective intracranial membranes. The president can resume activities but will need to take it easy for 15 days, cardiologist Roberto Kalil said at the news conference. Lula will remain in São Paulo until Thursday, when he will undergo follow-up tests. Once cleared, he will be able to return to Brasilia and his normal routine. "The only restriction is physical exercise," said Kalil. Another doctor, Ana Helena Germoglio, said Lula's recovery has "exceeded expectations." Known for his frenetic work pace, Lula burst into the news conference Sunday without warning and approached the microphones, walking unassisted. He addressed reporters while wearing a fedora-style hat that covered up signs of his operations, accompanied by his wife Rosangela "Janja" da Silva. Also read | North Korea breaks silence, labels Yoon a 'ringleader of rebellion' amid South Korea's political crisis Lula's medical emergency started when he complained last Monday of a headache while in Brasilia. "I felt like my steps were slowing down, my eyes were red and I was very sleepy," he said. An MRI scan found a haemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it, prompting his swift transport to Hospital Sirio-Libanes -- the country's top medical facility -- for surgery. "I confess I was scared by the volume of fluid growth in my head. I was worried by the urgency of the request" to go to the hospital, he said. "I never think I'm going to die, but I'm scared, so I need to follow the rules," Lula said, adding that he will not go to the beach for the end-of-year holidays, as many Brazilians do. "I'm going home now," he told reporters, "calm, sure that I'm cured and that I just need to take care of myself." After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula had told an official from his Workers' Party that the accident was "serious." In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit in Uruguay. The latest medical emergency adds to a list of health problems Lula has suffered over the years, including treatment in 2011 for throat cancer, and a hip replacement operation last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday cancelled his trip to Russia for the BRICS summit, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights after a head injury at home that caused a minor brain haemorrhage.

In a statement, the presidential office said Lula, 78, will now participate in the BRICS meeting via videoconference. He was initially scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, said in an interview with GloboNews TV channel that the president suffered a fall that caused "great" trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches for the injury and resulting in a "small brain hemorrhage" in the temporal-frontal region.

"It's a condition that will require repeat tests throughout the week. Any brain haemorrhage, theoretically, can worsen in the following days, so observation is important," he said.

Kalil added that Lula is doing well and can engage in normal activities.

According to a medical report issued earlier on Sunday by the Sirio Libanes Hospital in Brasilia, Lula suffered a laceration to the "occipital region" in the back of his head on Saturday.

The report said Lula "was advised to avoid long-distance air travel but is otherwise able to carry out his regular duties."

The government said in a post on X that Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has been designated to lead the Brazilian delegation in the BRICS summit, departing later on Sunday.

The diplomatic forum was founded 15 years ago by major emerging markets Brazil, Russia, India, China has since expanding to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

Congresswoman Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Lula's Workers Party, posted on social media that she had spoken with the president and that "he is doing very well, just avoiding a long trip."

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday cancelled his trip to Russia for the BRICS summit, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights after a head injury at home that caused a minor brain haemorrhage.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday cancelled his trip to Russia for the BRICS summit, following medical advice to temporarily avoid long-haul flights after a head injury at home that caused a minor brain haemorrhage. In a statement, the presidential office said Lula, 78, will now participate in the BRICS meeting via videoconference. He was initially scheduled to depart at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, said in an interview with GloboNews TV channel that the president suffered a fall that caused "great" trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches for the injury and resulting in a "small brain hemorrhage" in the temporal-frontal region. "It's a condition that will require repeat tests throughout the week. Any brain haemorrhage, theoretically, can worsen in the following days, so observation is important," he said. Kalil added that Lula is doing well and can engage in normal activities. According to a medical report issued earlier on Sunday by the Sirio Libanes Hospital in Brasilia, Lula suffered a laceration to the "occipital region" in the back of his head on Saturday. The report said Lula "was advised to avoid long-distance air travel but is otherwise able to carry out his regular duties." The government said in a post on X that Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has been designated to lead the Brazilian delegation in the BRICS summit, departing later on Sunday. The diplomatic forum was founded 15 years ago by major emerging markets Brazil, Russia, India, China has since expanding to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Congresswoman Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Lula's Workers Party, posted on social media that she had spoken with the president and that "he is doing very well, just avoiding a long trip." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Brazil President Lula to skip BRICS summit in Russia due to 'small brain haemorrhage'