Brazil’s Supreme Court is scrutinizing the medical care of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently serving a prison sentence for attempting to subvert the 2022 election results [[3]]. Following a recent hospitalization for abdominal discomfort,Justice Alexandre de Moraes has ordered the Federal Police to question the president of the Brazilian Medical Council (CFM) regarding the treatment Bolsonaro received,amid concerns over the circumstances surrounding his care [[1]]. The move signals heightened judicial oversight of the former leader’s health while incarcerated and has prompted the court to invalidate an internal CFM examination into the matter.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has ordered the Federal Police to question the president of the Brazilian Medical Council (CFM) following concerns raised about medical care provided to former President Jair Bolsonaro. The move comes after the CFM announced an immediate investigation into the treatment Bolsonaro received.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) issued the order Wednesday, November 7, directing police to seek testimony from the CFM president within 10 days. The case underscores the heightened scrutiny surrounding Bolsonaro’s health and recent medical attention.
According to the court’s decision, Moraes has also invalidated the CFM’s directive to launch the internal investigation, asserting that the council lacks the authority to conduct such a review. He stated the CFM’s action “clearly demonstrates a deviation of purpose, in addition to a total ignorance of the facts.”
The court’s action follows a recent health scare involving Bolsonaro, where he was hospitalized for abdominal discomfort. Moraes noted that the Federal Police medical team determined there was no immediate need to transport the former president to a hospital following the incident.
“There was, therefore, no omission or inertia on the part of the Federal Police medical team, which acted correctly and competently, as corroborated by the medical examinations performed today on the detainee at the DF Star Hospital, which revealed no problems or sequelae in relation to the incident in the early hours of the previous day,” Moraes explained in the ruling.
In a separate order, Moraes directed the director of the DF Star Hospital to submit all medical exams and reports related to Bolsonaro’s treatment to the Supreme Court within 24 hours. This ensures the court has access to a complete medical record of the former president’s recent care.
The Justice also referenced a previous decision made on November 22 of last year, which had already authorized full-time medical care for Bolsonaro. CNN Brasil has reached out to the CFM for comment and is awaiting a response.
