Lula in Brazil, additional surgery for cerebral hemorrhage...Widespread health concerns

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Dásouva has been on the operating table twice in two days with a brain haemorrhage, raising concerns about the president's health.

Brazil's presidential physician Professor Roberto Caliu said at a press conference in Sao Paulo on the 12th local time, "President Lula underwent his second operation following the 10th due to a cerebral hemorrhage," adding, "He will be able to be discharged from the hospital next week and resume his duties depending on the progress."

President Lula, who is 79 this year, was treated for a fall on the back of his head at his official residence in October, but local medical staff believe the impact caused him to bleed again.

As concerns about the president's health spread, Brazil's presidential office told CNN Brazil that "President Lula will be on the ballot for the presidential election in October 2026," adding that "the president is healthy and age is not a hindrance to his candidacy."