Lula da Silva to undergo hip surgery by the end of the month

(Patria) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stated on Friday that he will undergo hip surgery by the end of September to treat chronic pain in his thigh bone, Reuters reported.

Speaking with supporters at an event in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Lula (77) said he will have the surgery after hosting his Vietnamese counterpart on September 26.
The Brazilian president, who recently underwent a hip infiltration to alleviate pain, said in July that he would need surgery but expected it to happen in October.

"When I return, I will host the President of Vietnam on the 26th, and then I will prepare for the surgery," he said.

Lula, who has traveled abroad frequently since taking office in January, said his last trip of the year will be to the G77 developing countries summit in Cuba later this month.

Before that, he will attend the G20 summit next week in India, as well as the United Nations General Assembly in New York.