Carried to car; treated by INEM
CHEGA leader André Ventura collapsed again today – having taken a day to rest following the first collapse at an evening event in Tavira.
This time round, Ventura appears to have had a similar episode during a street walkabout in Odemira, where he suddenly doubled-up in pain.
The first collapse was described as a gastro-oesophageal spasm, with a hypertensive spike. He spent a night in Faro Hospital on a VIP protocol, and was discharged yesterday morning with a clean bill of health – albeit advised to rest (which in an electoral campaign is not easy).
This time round he was carried by members of his entourage to one of the campaign vehicles, and has since been attended to by an INEM medical emergency team, and taken to the local health centre. Fom there he was transported later to the hospital in Santiago do Cacém.
According to reports, Mr Ventura was roughly 15 minutes into his visit to Odemira. He had spoken with journalists, walked a few metres, and then he collapsed.
CHEGA MP Marta Silva accompanying the visit said that “no one expected this. He was absolutely fine…”
As reports add, blood taken following the first collapse, as well as an electrocardiogram showed “no alterations”.
Mr Ventura had been telling reporters before he collapsed that President Marcelo had advised him not to return to the campaign trail.
“He told me ‘Don’t go, don’t go. This won’t be good for you’. But I really had to come, I can’t leave my entourage. I am, and have been, a great critic of the President of the Republic, but I couldn’t help but mention this, to thank him for the concern he showed from the outset”.
As RTP’s report added, even saying these words, the CHEGA leader appeared to be “finding it difficult to speak”.
This is the penultimate day of the electoral campaign, with Saturday traditionally dubbed “the day of reflection” before voters go to the polls.
Source: RTP
