RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Medics on Wednesday told Brazil's right-wing presidential candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, to avoid campaigning ahead of the second round runoff, owing to his ongoing recovery following his stabbing.
The medical team, who has been caring for the Social Liberal Party (PSL) candidate, visited his home in Rio de Janeiro and found he was not in good enough condition to appear at campaign events.
"He has lost 15 kilos of muscle mass and is still weak. He needs to follow a recuperative protein diet," Leandro Echenique, a cardiologist caring for the candidate, told the press.
"His recovery is going well but we still suggest he rest for full recovery," he added.
Antonio Macedo, a surgeon, said that though Bolsonaro "is not having iron injections" or round-the-clock care, the candidate will have to undergo "intense nutritional aftercare and physiotherapy."
The surgeon explained that severe weight and muscle loss reduces the body's immunity and makes infections, low blood pressure and fainting more likely.
Therefore, Bolsonaro should "avoid prolonged physical activity."
"He wants to continue campaigning but at the moment it is not recommended," said Macedo.
The candidate was stabbed in the abdomen last month while campaigning in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais.
Bolsonaro was kept in hospital in Sao Paulo for three weeks and was operated on twice.
Due to intestinal injuries, he will be forced to continue using a colostomy bag for now.
Despite not being able to campaign in the final weeks before the first round of presidential elections, Bolsonaro still claimed 46 percent of the votes, but not enough to security the majority needed for an outright win.
The medical team's decision also casts doubt on a televised debate against his nearest rival, Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party, who he will compete against in the presidential runoff on Oct. 28.
On Monday, Bolsonaro said in an interview that believed he was well enough to debate his opponent, having missed all the previous televised debates because of his injuries.
