Bolivia's President Evo Morales hospitalized

Bolivia’s President Evo Morales caused a momentary press flurry today after he checked into a Cochabamba clinic. It was reported that the Bolivian head of state was going in for a routine check-up. “He is in very good health,” said Dr Mauricio García, a lung specialist at the Los Olivos clinic.

The checkup took journalists by surprise because Morales had scheduled activities for the day in El Alto, which were covered by Vice-President Alvaro García Linera.

“The president entered for a routine annual checkup,” García told reporters.

“It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” the doctor said, according to state news agency ABI. “We do it every year.”

The vice-president said the chief executive “went to the clinic Friday night for a routine checkup to make sure he is in good health because of the rigours of office.

Dr. García explained that the president was examined by four specialists, who administered an ECG, made a map of his blood pressure and performed routine lab tests.

He said the president undergoes this series of tests yearly, but without any fixed date, adding that he would remain in the clinic all day yesterday and, if necessary, until this morning.

“This is perfectly normal. He enjoys very good health and is joking like always,” García reassured the press.

The lung specialist also said he was pleased because the president can continue playing soccer without the pain in his left knee, for which some time ago he had to operated on.

The vice-president clarified that Morales went in for the tests as requested by the government “because we do not want him to have any problems while working. That is why he is not here,” he told the public gathering which the head of state was going to attend.