After a hectic week of ceremonies, visits and interviews Lula was preparing to fly to Switzerland when his personal doctor who had checked him several times for what seemed flu symptoms and chest and throat pains, decided he should not travel and had him interned in the local hospital of Recife, northeast of Brazil.
“The President is doing fine this morning (Thursday) but doctors have recommended he rests until next Monday. The President had a very exhausting week and is really fatigued. He underwent a high blood pressure peak and that was the reason for canceling the trip”, said a spokesperson from Planalto Palace.
“The President left mid morning, earlier than expected and is now resting at his private home in São Bernardo do Campo in São Paulo, where he will remain until Monday”, added the spokesperson.
From Davos Foreign Affairs minister Celso Amorim confirmed that the president “is in good health and has left for São Paulo”. He added, “I did not talk to him, I didn’t want to interrupt him; I’m no doctor but it was high blood pressure”.
Cleber Ferreira, Lula’s personal doctor said that the president suffered a “sporadic” situation. “The president does not suffer from high blood pressure and it’s now completely back to normal. It was a combination of factors”.
Lula da Silva was scheduled to fly to Davos to address the economic forum and receive the Global Statesman prize.
Central Bank president Henrique Meirelles will replace him.
Earlier this week the Brazilian president participated in the World Social Forum, more commonly known as the “anti-Davos” that took place in Porto Alegre, south Brazil where he severely criticized the global financial system.
“They triggered the greatest world crisis in recent history through mere irresponsibility” he accused bankers.
The quick recovery of Lula da Silva (64) which is very active and is believed to enjoy of good health is encouraging news for his Workers Party that next month must decide on the ruling coalition’s candidate for October’s presidential election.
Particularly since his hand picked choice, still to be confirmed, cabinet chief Dilma Rousseff does not seem to be able to take off and in spite of Lula da Silva’s overwhelming popularity she trails opposition candidate José Serra by at least 20 points.