Renowned Indigenous Chief Raoni Metuktire is receiving palliative care at his home in the Brazilian heartland after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 94, according to his organization. The Raoni Institute confirmed on Monday that the diagnosis, which affects the chief's digestive system, was identified following his hospitalization in Sao Paulo this past June.
Chief Raoni had been admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo due to a severe intestinal obstruction, for which he underwent surgery before returning to the region near Peixoto de Azevedo in Mato Grosso state. Widely recognized for his decades of international advocacy for the protection of the Amazon rainforest and the rights of Indigenous peoples, the chief is now resting at home surrounded by his family, community members, and specialized medical teams.
The Raoni Institute explained that medical professionals opted for a palliative care approach due to Raoni's advanced age, his overall clinical status, and the significant risks associated with pursuing aggressive oncological treatments. The institute emphasized that palliative care does not signify an absence of medical attention. Instead, the focus is on controlling pain and symptoms, preventing complications, and ensuring the chief receives adequate nutrition, hydration, nursing care, and physical therapy to maintain the best possible quality of life.
To honor his Indigenous heritage, the current care plan integrates both specialized medical supervision and traditional spiritual support. This approach allows traditional healers to work alongside medical professionals to provide comprehensive care for the leader. Doctors opted for palliative care given Raoni's advanced age, overall clinical condition, and the high risks associated with aggressive oncological treatments, the institute said.
