Singer Bana has been admitted to a private room in Lisbon's Luz Hospital and is being given appropriate care. His son Ademiro Gonçalves told that "thanks to the government of Cape Verde" his father "is receiving very good treatment," adding that his family has regained hope that the artist "really will recover." His state of health is considered serious.

Bana was admitted to the recently-opened hospital, considered one of the best in Portugal, yesterday.

76-year-old Bana, whose official name is Adriano Gonçalves, had been bedridden at home for some time, following a short stay at Santa Maria Hospital. The news of his poor health quickly spread throughout Cape Verdean communities around the world, generating a wave of solidarity unprecedented in the singer's life. His situation, according to some sources, is serious - in addition to his age and the fact that he suffers from diabetes and a number of other illnesses, his hefty physique reduces his mobility, which made it difficult for his family to provide him with the continued care he requires.

According to Cape Verde's Minister of Culture, Manuel Veiga, as soon as the government learned of the singer's situation on Friday, it immediately went into action. A monthly pension will be attributed to the artist by the State of Cape Verde in order to help pay for his medical expenses.

Luz Hospital, where Bana is currently admitted, is a private facility owned by Espírito Santo Saúde, and was opened in Lisbon last April.