Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has canceled his trip to Russia for the BRICS summit due to medical advice following a head injury that resulted in a minor brain hemorrhage. The 78-year-old president will now attend the meeting via videoconference instead of departing as planned on Sunday at 5 PM.
Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, informed GloboNews that the president sustained significant trauma to the back of his head from a fall, requiring stitches and leading to a small brain hemorrhage in the temporal-frontal area. Kalil emphasized the importance of monitoring the condition, as brain hemorrhages can worsen over time, but reassured that Lula is doing well and can resume normal activities, reports The Business Standard.
A medical report from the Sirio Libanes Hospital in Brasilia confirmed that Lula suffered a laceration in the occipital region of his head and recommended he avoid long-haul flights, although he is otherwise fit to fulfill his regular responsibilities.
The Brazilian government announced that Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira would lead the delegation at the BRICS summit, departing later on Sunday. The BRICS group, established 15 years ago by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, has since expanded to include South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
Gleisi Hoffmann, president of Lula's Workers Party, shared on social media that she spoke with the president, who is recovering well and simply avoiding long-distance travel.
Bd-pratidin English/Afia
