Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was discharged from the hospital at lunchtime on Thursday, December 3.
Upon leaving the Hospital de São João in Porto, the President of the Republic expressed his “gratitude” to the hospital and the professionals “who welcomed and treated me so competently, efficiently, dedicatedly, and warmly”.
“I could verify the excellence of the SNS and the hospital [de São João]. The SNS is once again to be congratulated”, he noted, recalling that this is not the first time he has turned to the National Health Service in more complicated situations during his two terms.
“With all the problems the SNS has, it is a great achievement of democracy. It has been a health guarantee for millions of Portuguese over 50 years,” he further stated, before talking about the surgery itself and how he is reacting to the intervention he underwent.
“I feel well,” he described, noting that his health situation “is congenital, it’s in the family.” “It’s the tendency for intestinal hernias. My father had it, my daughter has it. And I, as is known, this is the fourth hernia operated and this unexpectedly,” he described.
Marcelo indicated that he expects a “less complicated recovery than the first (surgery),” but acknowledged it is a time that “requires some care,” which is why he had to postpone some scheduled events, such as a trip to Madrid and another to the Vatican, for “precaution and lifestyle pace” reasons.
Promising to continue working, notably through the promulgation of various decrees, the Head of State noted, however, that in the remaining months of his term he needs to slow down his “lifestyle pace.”
“Now, until Christmas, and after Christmas until the end of the year is a period of greater rest,” he admitted, assuring that he will comply with medical advice and rest, as well as take dietary and physical care.
In addition to references to his health and schedule, the President of the Republic, who received a book and a bouquet of flowers from the vice-president of the Firefighters League, Emanuel Santos, before entering the car taking him to Lisbon, also made references to journalist Constança Cunha e Sá and broadcaster Olga Cardoso, who recently passed away.
At the Hospital de São João, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 76, received visits on Tuesday from the President of the Assembly of the Republic, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, and the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, and this morning from the Secretary-General of the PS, José Luís Carneiro, as well as the Mayor of Porto, Pedro Duarte (PSD).
Before leaving, after having a light meal, he promulgated some decrees and interacted with people at the hospital, as he briefed to journalists.
“I observed the library’s activity and took some ‘selfies’,” he shared.
Marcelo Admitted in Emergency
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was admitted on Monday night to the Hospital de São João in Porto after feeling unwell, following indigestion, indicated the Presidency of the Republic.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, 76, presided over the morning ceremonies on Monday in Praça dos Restauradores, Lisbon, paying tribute to the Heroes of Restoration and the War of Acclamation, which celebrates the reestablishment of national independence in 1640, and then proceeded to the funeral ceremonies of former Mota-Engil president, António Mota, reportedly feeling ill at Porto airport while returning to Lisbon.
He underwent surgery on Monday night at the Hospital de São João for a hernia that “corresponds to an area of the abdominal wall that is weaker and allows part of the intestine to pass through the tissues,” compromising “the ability to irrigate the tissues,” explained Maria João Baptista, president of the ULS São João, during an update on Marcelo’s health status on Monday night.
[News updated at 13:57]
