Read on bbc.comJair Bolsonaro Undergoes Medical Procedure for Chronic Hiccups While Serving Prison Sentence
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has received a medical procedure to treat chronic hiccups he has suffered from for nine months. The treatment, which blocked one of his phrenic nerves, follows a successful double hernia surgery earlier in the week. Bolsonaro remains in hospital but will return to federal police custody to continue serving his 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone a medical procedure to address a persistent case of chronic hiccups that plagued him for nine months. The treatment occurred while the former leader was already hospitalized for a separate surgery, highlighting the complex intersection of his health issues and ongoing legal situation. This development comes as Bolsonaro serves a lengthy prison sentence for his role in attempting to overturn Brazil's 2022 election results.
Medical Treatment Details
The procedure to treat Bolsonaro's hiccups took place on a Saturday and lasted approximately one hour, according to his medical team. Dr. Claudio Birolini, one of Bolsonaro's physicians, emphasized that the intervention was a medical procedure rather than a surgery. The treatment specifically targeted Bolsonaro's right phrenic nerve, with plans to address the left nerve in a subsequent session scheduled for Monday.
Bolsonaro's wife, Michelle, provided details about her husband's condition on social media, explaining that the procedure had "blocked" one of his phrenic nerves. She described the preceding nine months as "a struggle and anguish with daily hiccups," underscoring the persistent nature of the condition that ultimately required medical intervention.
Understanding Hiccups and Phrenic Nerve Function
Hiccups result from involuntary spasms of the diaphragm, the primary muscle responsible for breathing. These spasms typically occur when the phrenic nerves—which control the diaphragm's contraction and expansion—become irritated. The phrenic nerves originate in the neck and travel through the chest to reach the diaphragm, making them susceptible to various forms of irritation that can trigger prolonged hiccup episodes.
Chronic hiccups, defined as hiccups lasting more than 48 hours, can significantly impact quality of life, causing discomfort, sleep disturbances, and nutritional challenges. Medical interventions for persistent cases often involve targeting the phrenic nerves through various methods, including nerve blocks or pharmaceutical approaches.
Context of Hospitalization and Legal Status
Bolsonaro's hiccup treatment followed a successful surgery earlier in the week to address a double hernia. The former president had been granted permission to transfer from federal police custody to a hospital facility for this necessary medical procedure. His current hospitalization represents a temporary reprieve from his prison conditions as he receives medical care.
Once discharged from the hospital, Bolsonaro will return to his cell at the federal police headquarters in Brasília to continue serving his 27-year sentence. He was convicted in September for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 presidential election to left-wing opponent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Initially placed under house arrest pending appeals, Bolsonaro was taken into police custody last month after being deemed a "concrete flight risk" by judicial authorities.
Political Developments and Family Involvement
During his hospitalization, Bolsonaro endorsed his son, Flávio Bolsonaro, to challenge President Lula in Brazil's 2026 presidential election. The endorsement came in the form of a handwritten letter that Flávio read to supporters gathered outside the hospital. This political maneuver occurred alongside Bolsonaro's medical treatments, demonstrating his continued engagement in Brazilian politics despite his incarceration.
In related developments, Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the house arrest of ten former government officials on the same Saturday as Bolsonaro's hiccup procedure. All ten had served in Bolsonaro's administration and faced charges for participating in the coup attempt. These simultaneous legal actions highlight the ongoing judicial reckoning with events surrounding Brazil's 2022 election.
Broader Implications and Conclusion
The medical treatment of a former head of state while serving a prison sentence presents unique logistical and security challenges for Brazilian authorities. Bolsonaro's case illustrates how health issues intersect with legal proceedings, requiring coordination between medical facilities and law enforcement agencies. The situation also raises questions about healthcare standards for incarcerated individuals, particularly those with complex medical needs.
As Bolsonaro receives treatment for his persistent hiccups, Brazil continues to grapple with the political divisions that characterized his presidency and the subsequent attempts to challenge democratic processes. The former president's health developments occur against a backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings against him and his associates, with implications for Brazil's political landscape as the country approaches the 2026 presidential election.
