First lady hospitalized over gastric problems

First Lady Wu Shu-Chen (吳淑珍) checked into Shin Kong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital(台北新光醫院) for emergency medical treatment at 2am yesterday.

"She has enteral gastritis which was triggered by flu," said Huang Fan-yen(黃芳彥), vice president of the hospital.

Accompanied by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Wu was discharged from the hospital and returned to the presidential residence at 5pm yesterday.

As a result of a cold caught two days ago, Wu was having a fever and a diarrhea. Her abdominal pain seemed to be serious on Thursday night, and she was rushed to the hospital.

"After sufficient water replenishment, she has been in a stable condition." said Huang. Wu was able to eat yesterday morning.

Since the first lady's condition had improved, President Chen attended aboriginal cultural activities and a harvest ritual in Hualien yesterday morning as originally scheduled. But he returned to Taipei to take Wu home in the afternoon.