Brazilian Leader’s Condition Improves; His Doctors Express ‘Guarded Optimism’

President-elect Tancredo Neves made a comeback Friday on the 22nd day of an illness that has become a national political drama in Brazil.

The 75-year-old leader of Brazil’s new democracy was near death after surgery Thursday for removal of abdominal infections, according to Gov. Andre Franco Montoro of Sao Paulo state, but 24 hours later Montoro said that the situation of “near despair” had changed to one of “guarded optimism.”

“The man is made of iron,” Montoro said, quoting one of Neves’ attending physicians at the Sao Paulo Clinical Hospital where the president-elect has been in intensive care for 10 days.

No New Infection

A medical bulletin issued late Friday said that no new pockets of infection had been found in the abdominal region where bacteria resistant to antibiotics infected the area where Neves was operated on March 15 for diverticulitis, an intestinal inflammation.

The bulletin also said that cardiac irregularity, which followed Thursday’s surgery, had disappeared. A lung inflammation was reported to be under control, and the patient’s immunological reactions to the infections in his body were said to be normal.

With the Easter holiday under way, Brazilians prayed in churches throughout the nation for Neves’ recovery. The television networks continued to interrupt regular programs with frequent bulletins from the hospital scene in Sao Paulo, where thousands of people maintained a vigil in support of Neves.

Generated New Hope

The emotion that many Brazilians express over the prospects for Neves taking office reflects the widespread hopes that greeted his election as president, the first civilian to be chosen for the presidency after 21 years of authoritarian military rule.

Neves’ illness has disrupted the start of the new civilian government. Jose Sarney, 54, his vice presidential running mate, was sworn in before Congress on March 15 and has temporarily occupied the presidency. But the absence of the true leader of the political alliance that brought Neves to power has delayed key appointments, generated uncertainties over policy and diverted attention from pressing problems.

While fears eased for Neves’ survival, uncertainty persisted about the chances that Neves will fully recover and be able to assume the office to which he was elected in January.