Kaohsiung, May 21 (CNA) Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo of Solomon Islands, one of Taiwan's diplomatic allies, visited a hospital in southern Taiwan Monday and expressed gratitude for the medical aid extended to the people of his Pacific island country.

Lilo and his wife both had health checkups at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital. He said he was grateful to the hospital, which established a health center in Solomon Islands in 2007.

Lilo also praised Taiwan's medical advances and expressed hope that Steve Lumasa Hugo, a doctor from his country who is currently being trained at the Kaohsiung hospital, can learn from them.

According to the hospital, Hugo is an official of Solomon Islands' Department of Health. He is receiving a wide range of training at the hospital, with a particular focus on pediatrics, a specialty for which Solomon Islands has a pressing need.

Hugo for his part said that the two-month training period is too short because there is so much to learn. He said he would like to stay longer to continue his studies, but noted that this would require the assistance of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

(By Nancy Sha and Nell Shen)
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