- 12-hour surgery to address 2018 stabbing complications
- Blood pressure stabilized after Thursday health scare
- Supreme Court serves trial notice during ICU recovery
- Medical team restricts visitors despite political figure access
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro remains under intensive care at Brasilia's DF Star Hospital following his sixth abdominal surgery since the 2018 assassination attempt. Medical reports confirm stabilized blood pressure and improved liver function tests as of Friday, though doctors maintain strict visitor limitations. The April 13 procedure lasted nearly a full day, focusing on intestinal adhesion removal and abdominal wall reconstruction.
Hospital authorities emphasize this marks Bolsonaro's most complex post-stabbing operation, requiring specialized postoperative care. Unlike standard ICU protocols allowing limited family visits, medical staff face unique challenges managing high-profile political figures. This situation mirrors Venezuela's 2013 healthcare crisis when Hugo Chávez received treatment amid constitutional controversies.
Three critical insights emerge from this hospitalization: First, extended ICU stays for public figures create security/logistical challenges. Second, judicial notifications in medical settings require tailored protocols. Third, patient media access during recovery impacts both health outcomes and legal proceedings.
Controversy erupted Wednesday when Supreme Court officers delivered trial documents regarding alleged election interference. Security footage shows Bolsonaro questioning the notification process while medical staff cautioned about rising blood pressure. Legal experts note Brazilian law permits hospital notifications but debates continue about timing appropriateness.
Despite medical advice, Liberal Party leader Valdemar Costa Neto conducted an ICU visit followed by Bolsonaro's live YouTube appearance. Healthcare analysts warn such activities could compromise recovery, citing a 2022 Johns Hopkins study showing 34% longer recovery times for politically active hospital patients.
Bolsonaro's medical team reports no immediate discharge timeline, with continuous monitoring for potential complications. The former president's extended hospitalization highlights Brazil's evolving political landscape, where health crises intersect with legal accountability measures.
