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| A photo released by the Hospital Dois Pinheiros shows indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire at a press conference at the hospital after being released by his doctors in Sinop, Mato Grosso State, Brazil, on July 25, 2020 (AFP Photo/Diego OLIVEIRA) |
BrasÃlia (AFP) - Brazil's best-known indigenous
leader, chief Raoni Metuktire, was released from hospital Saturday after a
health scare and gave thanks for all the support he received during his
convalescence.
"I want to thank everyone who supported me, who
heard about me every day, about my health. I thank you, now I am healed,"
said Raoni, an iconic defender of the Amazon rainforest, in a brief statement
as he left the hospital.
In a wheelchair and visibly emaciated, the 90-year-old
chief appeared at a press conference at Dois Pinheiros hospital in Sinop, Mato
Grosso state, where he spent one week being treated for gastric ulcers, an
inflamed colon and an intestinal infection.
His statement was translated by his grandson Paxton
Metuktire.
"He is still a little weak because he is
finishing recovering, but he is strong enough to continue leading his
people," said Dr. Douglas Yanai, part of the team of eight specialists who
treated him.
Raoni was to return by plane around 1:00 pm local time
(1600 GMT) to his home of Metuktire, in the Xingu indigenous territory, the
hospital reported.
Doctors said the "deep sadness" he felt on
the death of his wife Bekwyjka, his companion for 60 years, on June 23
contributed to his condition.
Known for his colorful feather headdresses and the
large disc inserted in his lower lip, Raoni, a chief of the Kayapo people, has
traveled the world raising awareness of the threat posed by destruction of the
Amazon.
In his brief statement, Raoni called for people to
respect one another, because ill health can come "any day."
"Let's love, let's respect each other, because we
don't know if tomorrow our friends are going to get sick. We have to be together," he said.