Resigning politician Paul Oram speaks to reporters Wednesday to explain why he is leaving politics. (CBC)

The Williams government has lost another cabinet minister.

Health Minister Paul Oram told reporters at a quickly called news conference Wednesday morning that he's leaving politics in part because of health reasons, citing a serious problem with high blood pressure.

"My doctor had advised me on the weekend that if I don't get this under control, I will probably be using one of my facilities," Oram said, referring to two long-term care homes he co-owns with his wife.

He also said he has resigned because of media scrutiny over his personal businesses.

Almost immediately after he was appointed to the health portfolio in July, there were questions about whether Oram's new position put him in a conflict of interest over his business dealings.

He said at the time he was placing all of his business interests, including his shares in the two personal care homes, into a blind trust to ensure there would be no conflict with his work.

On Wednesday, Oram told reporters that the coverage he has been getting is unfair to his family.

"People need to remember — and media needs to remember — this: that it's all right for you to tear the strip off a member or a minister [because] that's what we go into this racket realizing is going to happen. But my little girl is home sitting down listening to the radio or watching the television, and responsible reporting is something that needs to be looked at," he said.

Opposition house leader Kelvin Parsons said he has watched Oram inside and outside the legislature over the last few years and called him "the most combative individual you will ever want to meet."

He said Oram is not someone who backs off when there are tough issues.

"He comes from a business background, and he's used to juggling eight or 10 balls at the one time, and yet we now get this explanation," Parsons said. "But I don't think there's any doubt that there's more to this than meets the eye."

Parsons believes Oram was pushed out of cabinet and, ultimately, politics, because of a dispute with Premier Danny Williams.

He said if stress was the issue, Oram would have been shuffled to a less demanding department.

Oram said he made his decision to quit Monday and informed the premier that evening.

Another provincial cabinet minister, Trevor Taylor, quit politics suddenly for personal reasons about two weeks ago.