GABORONE, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Botswana's second-largest city Francistown is expected to have its first-ever acupuncture clinic, with preparations for the opening at an advanced stage, according to a hospital superintendent on Thursday.

Most of the medical equipment has already been put in place, and the health facility will start operations for the public before the end of this year, Irvin Kgetse, superintendent at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital, said during a media tour of the near-completed clinic.

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine, a medical system with a history of thousands of years, he said, adding that the system has been used to diagnose, treat, and prevent illnesses.

"Traditional Chinese medicine has played a critical role in China. Inclusion of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge in Botswana's medical practice will also help us deal with future pandemics," he added.

Acupuncture is the practice of treating medical conditions by triggering certain points on the skin with needles, said Hu Minxiong, leader of the 17th Chinese medical team.

"Acupuncture may help with allergies, migraines, or insomnia and is an evidence-based medicine that has been proven by literally thousands of studies in China," said Hu. Enditem

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