(VNA) - Governor of Mexico's central State of Zacatecas Amalia Garcia on June 1 said Zacatecas' administration wholeheartedly supports a healthcare cooperation programme jointly carried out by the Viet Nam Central Acupuncture Hospital and the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ).

Receiving Director of the Viet Nam Central Acupuncture Hospital Prof. Nguyen Tai Thu, who is visiting Zacatecas, Amalia praised the practicality and effectiveness of the programme, which began in August 2002 at the UAZ.

Under the programme, Vietnamese acupuncturists have helped the UAZ treat an average of 80 patients a day for the past three years, and organise a course to train the first 20 doctors in Zacatecas in the needle-using therapy.

The Governor expressed her hope that these first Mexican acupuncturists, after their on-the-spot training in Viet Nam, will be able to expand the use of this special treatment method in Mexico, particularly in helping drug addicts kick their bad habits.

Governor Amalia and Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Le Van Thinh, who was also present at the reception, shared the view that the cooperation model between the UAZ and the Viet Nam Central Acupuncture Hospital should be expanded to other localities in Mexico.

Currently, the Viet Nam Central Acupuncture Hospital's staff are working at two acupuncture centres in the Mexico City and Monterrey under a cooperation scheme with the Mexican Labour Party.

Earlier, Vietnamese Ambassador Thinh worked with Secretary for Development of Monterrey Asael Sepulveda on a trade promotion programme to boost economic cooperation between Monterrey, Mexico's northern largest industrial centre, with Viet Nam's localities.