Brazilian president may need emergency surgery after 10 straight days of hiccups
São Paulo, Brazil - Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been transferred to another hospital for specialist care following persistent hiccups and stomach pain. Now his doctors are contemplating emergency surgery.
On Wednesday, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro (66) was transferred by his medical team to a hospital in São Paulo as his doctors determined he would need specialist care, as Reuters reported.
Bolsonaro was initially admitted to a military hospital in the capital Brasília after struggling with hiccups for a full 10 days, and then waking up Wednesday with severe stomach pain.
The president was sedated and intubated, as doctors believed the hiccups might be the result of an intestinal blockage and could force stomach fluids into his lungs.
Bolsonaro nearly died from a stabbing attack in 2018, and underwent many surgeries as a result, though it is not clear if his current health issues are related to those surgeries.
Additionally, Bolsonaro struggled with a persistent cough following his battle with Covid-19. His medical team is currently running tests to determine if they should proceed with emergency surgery to unblock his intestines.
On Wednesday, he tweeted a photo from his hospital bed, writing: "We'll be back soon, God willing. Brazil is ours!"
Cover photo: Screenshot/Twitter/Jair M. Bolsonaro