- Title: Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro takes steps at Sao Paulo hospital
- Date: 16th July 2021
- Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (JULY 16, 2021) (REUTERS) MAIN ENTRANCE OF VILA NOVA STAR HOSPITAL WHERE PRESIDENT JAIR BOLSONARO IS HOSPITALISED SECURITY OFFICER AT HOSPITAL ENTRANCE HOSPITAL'S ENTRANCE BOLSONARO'S SUPPORTERS HOLDING BRAZILIAN FLAGS OUTSIDE HOSPITAL FACE MASK WITH PICTURE OF BOLSONARO SUPPORTERS HOLDING AN ISRAELI FLAG WITH THE IMAGE OF BOLSONARO (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BOLSONARO SUPPORTER, SILVANA MEDEIROS, SAYING: "I am (here) supporting my president, I want him to run this country until 2026. He needs to be very healthy!" VARIOUS OF HOSPITAL
- Embargoed: 30th July 2021 23:46
- Keywords: Brazil Jair Bolsonaro Sao Paulo Vila Nova Star Hospital
- Location: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
- City: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA003EM399ON
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, undergoing hospital treatment for an obstructed intestine after a near-fatal 2018 stabbing, said on Friday (July 16) he hoped to be "back in action soon," while doctors gave no date yet for him to be discharged.
Bolsonaro, 66, has been in hospital since Wednesday, when he travelled from Brasilia to Sao Paulo for treatment relating to complications from the 2018 knife. After initial concerns he might need emergency surgery, doctors now say he is improving, with an operation less likely.
His doctors said in a statement on Friday afternoon the president was recovering in a satisfactory manner, but gave no date for his release from hospital.
Earlier on Friday, Bolsonaro tweeted a photo of himself, walking along a hospital corridor with a drip attached to his neck and looking stern-faced.
"Back in action soon, God willing!," he wrote. "We've done a lot, but we still have a lot to do for our Brazil!"
Bolsonaro's supporters gathered outside the Vila Nova Star hospital holding flags with pictures of Bolsonaro.
"I am (here) supporting my president, I want him to run this country until 2026. He needs to be very healthy!", said supporter Silvana Medeiros.
Bolsonaro had said in a TV interview on Thursday he could be out of hospital on Friday.
On Thursday evening the president's doctors said they had removed a gastric catheter from Bolsonaro and that he would begin eating again on Friday.
Bolsonaro has faced several health issues during his presidency, mainly stemming from long-term complications after he suffered a perforated intestine when he was stabbed on the campaign trail in 2018. He was also ill with COVID-19 last year.
Bolsonaro is in a weak political position as senators probe a corruption scandal over the purchase of coronavirus vaccines and he faces criticism over his handling of the pandemic. COVID-19 has killed nearly 540,000 people in Brazil - the world's second highest death toll behind the United States.
(Production: Leonardo Benassatto, Nina Lopez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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