Within the framework of PATTEC initiative the PATTEC Coordination Office is mandated to monitor and evaluate the implementation progress made by member states towards tsetse and trypanosomiasis control and eradication. In line with this, a situation analysis mission to evaluate the implementation of tsetse and trypanosomiasis control interventions comprising Dr. Gift Wiseman Wanda, Acting Coordinator of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis (T&T) Eradication Campaign (PATTEC), and Mr Girma Urgeacha, GIS database specialist was undertaken to Zambia from 10 to 14 June 2019.

Zambia is one of the 38 countries affected by T&T on the African continent. It is estimated that 38% of the total land area of the country is infested with tsetse fly. Over the past decades, Zambia has implemented a number of regional and national programmes aimed at reducing the burden of T&T with varying degrees of success. The most successful of these initiatives has been the implementation of the Zambia component of the Kwando-Zambezi sub regional tsetse eradication project comprising Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Angola using aerial spraying techniques. Plans are underway to expand aerial spraying operations to other priority tsetse infested areas in Zambia.

The team from AU-PATTEC visited various institutions and stakeholders including Staff of the tsetse and trypanosomosis control unit of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock in Chilanga; Mr. Wamunyima Lubinda, a Neglected Tropical Diseases Officer in the Ministry of Health (MoH); Dr Swithine Kabilika, Acting Director of Veterinary Services and his team; Dr. David Shamulenge - the office of the Permanent Secretary (PS) for Fisheries and Livestock; Staff of Ministry of Finance (MoF); the WHO country office; the Office of the CAADP Coordinator; FAO; COMESA; and University of Public Health.

The M&E mission ended by a wrap-up meeting, chaired by the Dr. Swithine Kabilika, on Thursday 13 June 2019 during which the draft Aide Memoire and the findings of the mission were discussed. This Aide Memoire was prepared by the mission team and reflects the understanding reached between the mission and Senior Officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.