GABORONE, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese medical teams to Botswana have become an integral part of the healthcare system of the southern African country, providing specialized medical services to local people while strengthening cooperation between the two countries, a senior Botswanan official said on Thursday.
Speaking at the farewell and welcome reception held at the Chinese Embassy in Botswana for the 17th and 18th batches of the Chinese medical teams to Botswana, Tshepo Machacha, acting permanent secretary of Botswana's Ministry of Health, said that the occasion reflects the genuine friendship and strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
"Over the years, our partnership in the health sector has continued to flourish," said Machacha, noting that the deployment of the Chinese medical team to Botswana's two national referral hospitals every two years is "one of the most significant achievements."
Comprising 46 highly skilled professionals, the 18th batch of the Chinese medical teams to Botswana works at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, the capital of the southern African country, and Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Francistown, the country's second-largest city.
"On behalf of the Botswana government and the people of Botswana, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding services" rendered by the Chinese medical teams over the years, said Machacha.
"Their dedication has significantly improved access to specialized healthcare, enhanced the quality of medical services, strengthened the capacity of our healthcare system, and ultimately contributed to improving the health outcomes of our people," he said.
Machacha commended the 17th batch of the Chinese medical team to Botswana for its remarkable achievements, noting that "their expertise and professionalism have made a lasting impact on our healthcare system."
As one of the recipients of traditional Chinese acupuncture, Machacha said traditional Chinese medicine has enriched Botswana's healthcare system and benefited many local patients.
"This serves as a practical demonstration of how cultural exchange and medical cooperation can directly improve patient care while strengthening medical understanding between the two nations," he said.
"Since 1981, 18 successive groups of Chinese medical professionals, comprising more than 600 experts in total, have traveled thousands of miles to serve in Botswana. Together, they have provided direct clinical services and compassionate care to more than three million patients across the country," said Chinese Ambassador to Botswana Fan Yong.
He also commended the Chinese medical teams for mentoring local doctors and nurses, actively promoting paired hospital cooperation mechanisms, and creating valuable opportunities for Botswana's medical professionals to pursue advanced training and continuing education.
Fan spoke highly of the 17th batch of the Chinese medical teams to Botswana for their outstanding service and professionalism, as well as for strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
The 18th batch of the Chinese medical teams arrived in Gaborone on June 27.
At the event, the Chinese embassy donated medical equipment to Botswana's Ministry of Health. ■