A delegation from the Department of Mental Health of the Thailand Ministry of Public Health has paid a six-day visit to Shanxi province.

Both sides expressed their hope of conducting deeper cooperation and introducing traditional Chinese medicine into Thailand for mental health treatment.

The Thailand delegation showed great interest in Chinese acupuncture, massage and scrape therapy during their visit and said that they expect to put these methods into clinical practice in their country.

The delegation visited Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yunchen Jishan Mental Hospital, which are both known for expertise in traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Traditional Chinese medicine has received higher international recognition and been in greater demand in recent years.

In Thailand, Chinese medicine has been gaining in popularity since 2000. There were around 800 registered doctors in that field in Thailand by the beginning of this year, and the number is growing by 100 every year.

Shanxi not only boasts rich traditional Chinese medicine resources, but is also home to some of its famous historical practitioners.

Shanxi and Thailand established a medical cooperation mechanism in 1998. They hold personnel exchanges and communication programs every year.

Wei Xiaochun, director of the Shanxi Health and Family Planning Commission, said that the cooperation between Shanxi and Thailand has greatly pushed forward the development of the medical work in Shanxi and enhanced the countries’ friendship.

Wei also described the mental health network that covers both urban and rural areas in Shanxi, free projects for mental health services and the training of mental health doctors in the province.