The Finance Minister, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, was discharged this afternoon after being hospitalised on 25 February, and can resume his duties next week, the ministry said in a statement.

"After being admitted to the Santa Maria Local Health Unit yesterday [25 February], where he was under observation in the Neurology Service, the Minister of State and Finance was discharged this afternoon," it indicated.

"The minister is doing well and resting, and can fully resume his duties next week," according to the Ministry of Finance.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Santa Maria Local Health Unit said that Joaquim Miranda Sarmento "underwent the normal and appropriate examinations for his clinical situation, and the medical team decided on his hospitalisation for observation, and his clinical condition is stable."