Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underwent a surgical procedure last night to drain a haematoma after being urgently admitted to the Hospital Sírio-Libanês in Sao Paulo, and is doing well today.

According to the first medical bulletin published at 03:20 local time on Tuesday, Lula, 79, fell ill in Brasilia, where he underwent an imaging test after feeling a headache, still in the hospital unit in the federal capital.

The MRI showed intracranial haemorrhage, as a result of the domestic accident suffered in October.

He was transferred to the Sirio-Libanese, where he underwent a «craniotomy for drainage of the haematoma. The surgery was performed without complications,» the hospital reported.

According to the clinical report, «at the moment, the president is doing well, under supervision in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit)».

On 19 October, Lula fell in a bathroom at the Alvorada Palace (the official presidential residence in Brasilia) and hit the back of his head.

He had to wear five stitches and underwent imaging tests, which were repeated.

He was released to return home, but was ordered to cancel long trips over the next few weeks, including one to Russia, where he was to participate in the Brics summit, a group made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The president said on the occasion that the accident «was serious, but it did not affect any more delicate parts».

A little over a year ago, in September 2023, Lula underwent a total arthroplasty of his right hip, a surgery to replace, with a prosthesis, the worn cartilage in that region of the body.

When the procedure was completed, after a year, he underwent revision examinations.