"Tell him how a president of a country that is not as rich as the United States can guarantee every Brazilian citizen the same health treatment that the president of the Republic will receive," Lula said.

The United States formally left the WHO on 22nd January 2026, a year after Trump ordered the withdrawal on his first day back in office. The WHO said Washington halted its funding and left about $260 million in unpaid contributions, warning the move leaves "both the United States and the rest of the world in a less safe situation."

Lula also highlighted his government's healthcare policies and the expansion of public health services in Rio de Janeiro during the hospital visit.

“I’m about to turn 80, but you can be sure that I have the same energy as when I was 30 years old,” Lula said. “I’m going to fight. I’m running for a fourth term in Brazil. I’m prepared to run in other elections and try to make the relationship between Indonesia and Brazil a partnership.”

Lula, who returned to power in 2023 for his third nonconsecutive term, remains constitutionally eligible to run again since Brazil’s two-term limit applies only to consecutive presidencies.

During the press conference, the Brazilian leader also reiterated his support for a multipolar global order, stressing the need for “multilateralism, not unilateralism” in both politics and economics. He pointed to the BRICS bloc — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — as a key platform for advancing “the development interests of the global South.”

Lula’s announcement comes amid efforts to strengthen cooperation between Brazil and Indonesia, particularly in trade, renewable energy , and environmental protection.