Foreign minister highlights health care cooperation during Palau visit

Taipei, Aug. 28 (CNA) Taiwan's Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) visited Palau National Hospital on Thursday as he began a week-long stay in the Pacific ally to attend events related to the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting.

In a Facebook post Friday, Lin thanked Palau's Minister of State Gustav Aitaro and the country's newly appointed Ambassador to Taiwan Gaafar J. Uherbelau for welcoming his delegation a day earlier.

Joined by Palauan Vice President and Health and Human Services Minister Raynold Oilouch, Lin visited Palau National Hospital to find out the latest on a bilateral healthcare project and meet with a medical team from Taiwan's Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital.

Lin said Palau is planning a new national hospital and that Taiwan hopes to contribute its experience in smart healthcare, hospital information systems (HIS) and medical personnel training to meet Palau's development needs.

He said the two sides could deepen cooperation in areas ranging from hospital infrastructure and medical services to digital technology and personnel training, making Taiwan an important partner in safeguarding the health of the Palauan people.

On Thursday evening, Lin attended a dinner hosted by Palauan President Surangel S. Whipps Jr., during which he also met with Palauan government officials and representatives of Taiwanese businesses traveling with him to discuss future cooperation.

Lin said he invited the business representatives to gain a firsthand understanding of Palau's development needs and potential investment opportunities, with the aim of linking Taiwan's industrial strengths with Palau's needs.

Lin said ties between Taiwan and Palau have been growing increasingly close, from healthcare to industry and from government to the private sector, and that efforts to maintain good relations would continue.