Botswana’s Minister of Health, Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, has praised the contributions of the Chinese medical team and the China Charity Federation for their role in enhancing community health and advancing medical cooperation between the two nations. Speaking at a ceremony held in Gaborone, Dr. Dikoloti commended the long-standing medical partnership that continues to transform public healthcare delivery and improve the lives of citizens across Botswana.
The Chinese medical team, which has been stationed in Botswana for years under a bilateral agreement, has provided free consultations, surgeries, and community outreach programs in collaboration with local hospitals. The team’s work focuses on strengthening capacity in specialized medical fields, including maternal health, ophthalmology, and general surgery. Dr. Dikoloti highlighted that such initiatives not only address critical health needs but also foster long-term skills transfer and professional exchange between Chinese and Botswana health practitioners.
The minister also acknowledged the China Charity Federation’s latest donation of medical supplies and health equipment to rural clinics, noting that these interventions directly support Botswana’s national vision to achieve equitable access to quality healthcare. “This partnership exemplifies how shared commitment and mutual respect can drive real progress in improving public health outcomes,” he stated.
China’s Ambassador to Botswana, Wang Xuefeng, reaffirmed Beijing’s dedication to supporting Botswana’s healthcare goals under the framework of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). “Health is a vital pillar of our people-to-people cooperation,” Ambassador Wang said. “Through continued medical missions, infrastructure development, and training programs, China will keep working alongside Botswana to promote sustainable health systems.”
The collaboration between China and Botswana in healthcare dates back to the 1980s, with successive Chinese medical teams serving in hospitals across the country. Over the decades, thousands of Botswana patients have benefited from free medical services, while local professionals have received advanced training in China under government-sponsored health scholarships.
Beyond healthcare, China remains one of Botswana’s key development partners, contributing to major infrastructure and energy projects such as the Gaborone–Lobatse road rehabilitation, the Mahalapye solar power initiative, and digital economy cooperation through Huawei’s ICT training programs. These diverse engagements underline the deepening of Sino–Botswana relations under a shared vision of mutual benefit and sustainable growth.
As Botswana continues to expand its healthcare coverage, experts believe that the partnership with China represents a model of effective South–South cooperation – one that blends compassion, technology, and shared experience to build stronger, healthier communities across Africa.
