Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has canceled his planned trip to Russia for the BRICS summit after sustaining a minor brain hemorrhage following a fall at his home. The 78-year-old leader, who was scheduled to depart on Sunday evening, will instead participate in the summit via videoconference based on medical advice to avoid long-haul travel.
Lula’s doctor, Roberto Kalil, explained that the president suffered “significant” trauma to the back of his head, requiring stitches and resulting in a minor brain bleed in the temporal-frontal region. The injury necessitates close monitoring, as any brain hemorrhage can potentially worsen in the days following the incident.
A report from Brasília’s Sirio Libanes Hospital confirmed that Lula sustained a laceration to the occipital region of his head. While doctors recommended avoiding long-distance flights, they assured that he is otherwise fit to continue with his regular duties.
In Lula’s absence, Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira has been appointed to lead the Brazilian delegation at the BRICS summit. Congresswoman Gleisi Hoffmann, head of Lula’s Workers’ Party, stated that the president is in good spirits and maintaining his usual activities, except for the travel limitations.
