Brazil President Lula Cancels BRICS Trip to Russia After 'Small Brain Haemorrhage’ From Fall

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has canceled his trip to Russia for the upcoming BRICS summit after being diagnosed with a minor brain hemorrhage. Doctors advised Lula, 78, to avoid long flights following a head injury that led to the condition.

Lula da Silva to Participate Virtually in Summit

In a statement, the presidential office confirmed that Lula will now attend the BRICS summit virtually. He had originally been scheduled to depart on Sunday evening. The injury occurred after Lula suffered a fall, which resulted in a significant trauma to the back of his head and required stitches.

‘Any Brain Hemorrhage can be Worsen’: Silva's Doctor 

Lula's doctor, Roberto Kalil, explained in an interview with GloboNews that the president sustained a "small brain hemorrhage" in the temporal-frontal region. Kalil emphasized the importance of monitoring the condition closely over the coming days. "It's a condition that will require repeat tests throughout the week. Any brain hemorrhage, theoretically, can worsen in the following days, so observation is important," he said, though he said that Lula is in good spirits and able to do his duties.

According to a report from Sirio Libanes Hospital in Brasília, Lula suffered a laceration to the back of his head, but his condition allows him to carry out most regular activities, apart from long-distance travel.

Brazil's Foreign Minister to Lead Delegation

Brazil’s Foreign Minister, Mauro Vieira, will lead the country's delegation at the BRICS summit in Lula’s absence, the government announced on social media. The summit, which was founded 15 years ago by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has recently expanded to include nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.

Workers' Party President Gleisi Hoffmann confirmed that she had spoken with Lula, who assured her he was "doing very well" and simply following medical advice to avoid long flights.

(With Inputs from Reuters)