By Senior Editor, China Africa News
Gaborone, Botswana-China and Botswana have continued their collaboration in the health sector, strengthening a partnership that has spanned more than four decades. The latest effort brought the 17th batch of the Chinese medical team in Botswana together with the Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana and local partners for a joint medical outreach and specialist consultation programme at Mokolodi Village, near Gaborone. The initiative provided free medical check-ups, screenings for diabetes and hypertension, and health-education sessions for elderly residents, while deepening cooperation between the two nations in public health.
Botswana’s Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Nelson Ramaotwana, opened the outreach by praising the Chinese medical team and the Charity Association of Chinese in Botswana for stepping in during “financial challenges” and limited resources. “The Chinese medical team brings specialized skills, preventative health knowledge, and lifestyle-medicine expertise that are crucial in combating non-communicable diseases,” he said. He added, “a healthy nation is a justice nation.”
China’s Ambassador to Botswana, Fan Yong, highlighted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Botswana and recalled the long-standing medical cooperation: “Since 1981, 17 groups of doctors and nurses have been sent with a total number of over 500 medical staff. More than 3 million patients have received diagnosis and treatment from them ”
The event, attended by government officials, MPs and community leaders, served around 150 elderly residents who also received donations from the Chinese charity association. It demonstrated how both countries are translating diplomatic goodwill into community-level health impact.
For Botswana, the partnership brings clear benefits increased access to specialized healthcare, improved community-based prevention for chronic diseases, and knowledge transfer from Chinese experts to local practitioners. For China, the collaboration strengthens its image as a development partner in Africa, advances people-to-people diplomacy, and supports shared goals in global health security.
The outreach at Mokolodi Village embodies the evolving nature of China-Botswana health relations shifting from one-time assistance to long-term cooperation and capacity building. It reflects a broader vision where public health serves as a bridge of friendship and mutual progress between the two countries.
