The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was hospitalized in Brasília due to a head injury sustained from a domestic accident on Saturday. This incident forced him to cancel his planned trip to Russia to attend the BRICS group Summit, which will be held from the 22nd to the 24th of this month in Kazan, according to the Brazilian Government.
The Palácio do Planalto, the Executive headquarters in Brasília, issued a statement confirming that Lula da Silva, 78 years old, would not be able to attend the BRICS Summit on medical advice to avoid long-haul flights. Nonetheless, the president will participate in the summit via videoconference and will carry out his regular work schedule in Brasília next week.
The Brazilian president suffered a domestic accident that resulted in a contusion to the occipital region of the head, which prompted his admission to the Syrian-Lebanese Hospital in Brasília. After medical evaluation, it was decided that Lula da Silva should avoid prolonged air travel; however, he will be able to carry out the rest of his activities normally.
"After the evaluation by the medical team, Lula was advised to avoid a long-haul flight, being able to perform all other remaining activities," stated the announcement signed by doctors Roberto Kalil Filho and Ana Germoglio. It is worth noting that last year, the Brazilian president, who will turn 79 on October 27, underwent hip surgery.