Illa will have to spend two weeks in the hospital due to the loss of muscle strength in his legs.

BarcelonaThe President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, is hospitalized at Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona, ​​where he was transferred this Saturday due to muscle weakness and leg pain. The medical team treating him has not yet been able to determine the cause of his condition, but anticipates that he will need to remain hospitalized for at least two weeks for intensive rehabilitation, during which time he will be absent from public duties. For the moment, more serious conditions such as a stroke or a tumor have been ruled out, and doctors suspect an inflammatory cause, the nature of which is yet to be determined. Illa arrived at Vall d'Hebron by ambulance after experiencing weakness in the muscles of his lower extremities and suffering from a motor deficit and acute pain. During his leave of absence, the Minister of the Presidency, Albert Dalmau, will assume the duties of President.

Details of the president's health, stating that he is "stable" and "in good spirits," were given at a press conference by his medical team, led by the managing director of Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Dr. Albert Salazar. In a message to X, the head of the Catalan government confirmed that he is in good condition and indicated that he will undergo a few days of "tests and recovery." "I want to thank all the healthcare staff at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital for their care and great professionalism," he said, also expressing his gratitude for the messages of support he has received in recent hours.

For the moment, Illa is in the intensive care unit and is expected to be moved to a regular ward on Monday, in the spinal cord injury unit. There he will begin rehabilitation with afternoon skating sessions while further tests are carried out. Based on the tests performed so far, it has also been ruled out that he is suffering from ischemic spinal cord injury. Initially, the Presidency reported that he was suffering from a "muscle injury" for which he was undergoing tests, and that it had occurred after exercising in the morning. The pain worsened and led Illa to cancel his schedule after completing a planned official visit to Ascó. From there, he went to the hospital.

The tests already carried out

Once at Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Isla underwent a CT angiogram and an MRI, following the standard emergency department protocol for the symptoms he was experiencing. A scan was performed to examine the vascular system from his brain to his legs to look for any underlying pathologies that could be causing these symptoms. These tests ruled out "any serious causes or pathologies that would have required immediate intervention" and put his life at risk, as Salazar explained. He was accompanied by the Head of the Neurology Department, Patricia Pozo; the Clinical Director of the Diagnostic Service, Manel Escobar; and the Head of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Judith Sánchez-Raya. In addition, the president also underwent an MRI to examine his spine and vertebrae. The first scan was performed on Saturday and a second one on Sunday, 12 hours later. In both cases, it was concluded that the president's condition "is within normal limits." According to the doctors, Isla "had a good night and a good day." They also detailed that he began drinking water and eating on Sunday and that "he is doing well." The expected hospitalization period of at least 15 days is standard for any patient arriving at the hospital with this condition, the doctors explained. Now, the goal is to determine "the origin of the pain and loss of strength in the muscle groups," Escobar specified. According to the doctors, this is not the first time Vall d'Hebron has encountered a case like this, although it is not the most common. Salazar asked for "respect" for Isla's privacy and announced that the hospital will provide daily updates on his condition and progress.

The political implications

According to the law, the person who replaces the President of the Generalitat is the minister in charge of the Presidency's functions, as is the case with Dalmau. The minister was also at Vall d'Hebron Hospital this Sunday, along with the President's closest team and the Minister of Health, Olga Pané. Dalmau explained that the President's schedule will continue "as normal, delegated among the different ministers." "The government continues to function correctly and normally, with the office assigned to me as head of the Presidency department," he emphasized, regarding an appointment that will be published in the Official Gazette of the Generalitat (DOGC) this Monday. The law of the Presidency of the Generalitat specifies that "in case of absence, illness, or impediment of the President, the First Minister or the Vice President, if appointed, shall act as substitute." Otherwise, the substitute will be the councilor designated by the president or, in the absence of such designation, the councilor who occupies the first position in the order of protocol." The councilor will inform Isla "daily," but has also stressed that he needs to undergo rehabilitation, however much he would like to return to work. From his inner circle, he has continued working while in the hospital. Dalmau has informed both the Speaker of Parliament, Josep Rull, and the leader of Junts in Parliament, Mònica Sales, as the highest representative of the leading parliamentary group in the opposition, about the president's condition. The PSC leader also received a message of support from President Pedro Sánchez, a friend and fellow party member: "I know of your perseverance and strength. I am sure this is just a short pause and you will soon be back. Stay strong, my friend," he said.