Capacity building is seen as one of the crucial and instrumental pillars to ensure the success of the PATTEC Initiative in the African continent. Within the framework of its role and mandate in initiating action and providing technical support in the implementation of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC), the Coordination Office, in response to the request made by member states, has conducted a training workshop on Application of Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS) in Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis projects. The training aimed at reinforcing the capacity of the Project coordination and Management Units by improving spatial data management and technical skills of personnel working in national PATTEC projects. Eight participants drawn from SADC member countries: Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia had successfully attended the training workshop that was held from 5 – 10 December 2016, in Lusaka, Zambia.

The training was conducted by the PATTEC GIS expert Mr. Girma Urgeacha. Theoretical presentations and practical session using the PATTEC Introductory manual on application of QGIS in T&T projects was used during the five days training. The training session included discussion on the role of T&T data management to intensify the implementation of PATTEC initiative. Dr Gift Wanda, Ag. PATTEC Coordinator and Dr Solomon Haile Mariam, T&T Expert participated in the workshop. The need for further technical support in developing national databases and integrating GIS in planning and decision making for effective field interventions was recommended by the participants.