Brazil's Lula Has Second Successful Surgery, Expected to Leave Hospital Next Week

Dec 12, 2024, 10:04 PM

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underwent a successful second surgical procedure to stop bleeding in his skull, his medical team announced. The operation, an embolization of the middle meningeal artery, was performed Thursday morning at the Hospital Sírio-Libanês in São Paulo to prevent new hemorrhages. Later that evening, at 7 p.m., doctors removed a drain from his head without complications. The medical team reported that the hemorrhage did not affect Lula's brain and that he is neurologically 'perfect.' Lula is recovering in the intensive care unit, where he remains lucid, cognitively healthy, and conversing normally. He has been actively engaged in government affairs despite his hospitalization. Minister Alexandre Padilha noted that the president has been signing government acts from the ICU, and Minister Rui Costa stated that Lula is 'very focused' and requesting updates on the government's legislative agenda in Congress. First Lady Janja Lula da Silva shared that the president is in good spirits and is expected to return home soon. Lula has received visits from his children and grandchildren during his hospital stay. Doctors anticipate that he will leave intensive care on Friday and could be discharged from the hospital next week.