“The Minister of Health, Marta Temido, presented her resignation to the Prime Minister today because she understands that she is no longer able to remain in office”, says a note sent by the ministry to newsrooms this morning.

A few minutes later, a statement from the Prime Minister's office reported that António Costa "received the resignation of the Minister of Health".

“It respects her decision and accepts the request, which he has already communicated to the President of the Republic”.

António Costa thanked Temido for her work “especially during the exceptional period of combating the Covid-19 pandemic”.

In the note released by the prime minister's office, it is added that the executive "will continue the ongoing reforms with a view to strengthening the SNS and improving the health care provided to the Portuguese".

Marta Temido began her role as Minister of Health in October 2018, succeeding Adalberto Campos Fernandes.

The outgoing minister holds a PhD in International Health from the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, a master's degree in Health Management and Economics from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra, and a degree in Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra.