The deal still depends on the approval of the authorities, however, CUF has already announced that it has closed an agreement to acquire 75% of the HPA Saúde Group, founded in 1996, which has five hospitals and 17 clinics in the Alentejo, Algarve and Madeira.

In a statement sent to the Securities Market Commission (CMVM), CUF indicates that "as is usually the case in a transaction of this nature, the conclusion of the process of acquiring the aforementioned stake, which will be increased over a four-year period, depends on the verification of all the conditions set out in the agreement (including precedent conditions), as well as, equally, its prior notification to the Competition Authority and the non-opposition by this entity", without providing data regarding the value of the deal.

"This operation represents not only the union of two organisations with vast experience in the health sector but also an opportunity to strengthen and expand the quality of the services provided", says CUF CEO, Rui Diniz.

"For CUF, this is a very significant step in its growth strategy at a national level, providing access to differentiated, quality healthcare in all locations".

This announcement comes after, in November, CUF, controlled by the José de Mello group, announced the purchase of 13 miMed clinics from Sociedade Francisco Manuel dos Santos, the holding company of the Soares dos Santos family, which is the majority shareholder of Jerónimo Martins, also without revealing the value of the operation that expands its network to 43 hospital units, including hospitals, clinics and proximity units.