Chief Raoni Metuktire, 90, left the hospital and returned to his village in the Xingu National Park, in Mato Grosso, last weekend after spending nine days there for a digestive hemorrhage.
He had entered a hospital in Colíder, Mato Grosso, on July 16. His health condition aggravated by anemia, and he had to be admitted to a hospital in Sinop two days later.
Medical officials diagnosed Raoni with intestinal ulcers and inflammation in the colon. He even received a blood transfusion. His tests for Covid-19 were negative.
Upon leaving the hospital, he thanked people for their care and concerns and, in the language of his people, warned of the risk of "sudden" illnesses.
"Now I am cured, but I wanted to tell you that illness comes any day and attacks someone in our family. I wanted everyone to think about it and be able to like, love, respect each other because we don't know tomorrow," said the chief, before leaving the hospital, in Sinop.
According to Raoni's great-nephew, Patxon Metuktire, the chief's health had started to worsen after the death of his wife, Bekwyjkà Metuktire, on June 23, a victim of a stroke. Since then, Raoni has shown signs of depression.
As a leader of the Xingu region, the chief is known throughout the world for defending the rights of indigenous peoples.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon