Botswana's Health Minister Dorcas Makgato (L) presents a certificate of appreciation to a member of the 13th Chinese medical team during a farewell ceremony in Gaborone, capital of Botswana, Jan. 22, 2015. (Xinhua/Lyu Tianran)

GABORONE, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's ministry of health on Thursday held a farewell dinner for the 13th China Medical Team to Botswana to express appreciation to the latter.

According to the captain of the 13th China Medical Team Zheng Shounian, the team consisting 46 medical professionals arrived in Botswana on March 4, 2012. They have been working at Princess Marina Hospital in the capital of Gaborone and Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in Francistown, the second largest city of Botswana.

The first China Medical Team starting work in Botswana in 1985 with 13 members, while the numbers have increased to the current 46 as the increase symbolizes the true spirit of friendship and partnership between China and Botswana, said the minister of health Dorcas Makgato during the dinner.

The minister also presented certificates of appreciation to all the members of the team, which as she said, are to honour and show utmost recognition of the contribution that the medical team have rendered to Botswana.

Chinese ambassdor to Botswana Zheng Zhuqiang said medicine and health-care has long been one of the top priority areas where China and Botswana cooperate closely and effectively.

According to the envoy, alongside daily clinical services, the medical team also shared health techniques and clinical experiences with Botswana counterparts through lectures, case study, academic exchanges etc.

Besides, the Chinese team procured medical equipment valuing over 30,000 U.S. dollars and donated them to hospitals of Botswana, said Zheng.

The ambassador said with joint efforts and with deeper cooperation between China and Botswana, the two sides will both have brighter future in the health area.