TAIPEI (AFP) -- The wife of Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian was discharged from hospital Sunday, 16 days after collapsing at the start of her high-profile trial on corruption and forgery charges.

Television images showed a nurse at National Taiwan University Hospital carrying the wheelchair-bound Wu Shu-chen to a van, which took her home to the nearby presidential residence. Hospital spokesman Lin Ho-hsiung told reporters that "Wu's health has stabilized ... the special medical team recommended that she be discharged from hospital."

But he declined to say if Wu would be able to attend her next court hearing in January.

Lin said Wu's permanent spinal injuries would require continued treatment.

"Because of her spinal injuries, she has for long suffered a autonomic nerve disorder, and therefore, when she sits long, go to bathroom or when temperature of weather drops dramatically, she may sometimes feel dizzy," Lin said.

She was paralyzed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair after she was hit by a van in 1984.

Wu, who pleaded not guilty to charges she illegally claimed 14.8 million Taiwan dollars ($450,000 U.S. ) in personal expenses from state funds, was rushed to hospital after fainting during a court recess on December 15.

She has missed two subsequent hearings since then.

The landmark case could end Chen's presidency as the leader has promised to resign if Wu -- the first wife of a Taiwanese leader to be prosecuted -- is found guilty.

Prosecutors in November indicted Wu and three presidential aides and named Chen as a suspect in the scandal, but he escaped prosecution because of presidential immunity.

The president from the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party has admitted using false receipts to claim money from a fund set aside for affairs of national importance.

But he insists that it was used for "secret diplomatic missions" that he could not disclose.

Prosecutors, however, found that at least 1.5 million dollars were spent on diamond rings and other luxury items for his wife.

The opposition said it suspected much of the 14.8 million dollars had gone into the pockets of the president and his family.

Last month, Chen survived a third parliamentary vote aimed at ousting him after the opposition failed to garner enough support.

Two earlier recall motions, in June and October, also failed.

The president's troubles began when his son-in-law Chao Chien-ming was arrested in May on suspicion of insider trading and taking bribes.

Chao on Wednesday last week was convicted of making gains valued at 4.27 million Taiwan dollars ($131,000 U.S.) through the illegal deal, said the Taipei district court.

The president has apologized for the political turmoil caused by his son-in-law.