By: BERNADETTE NDEMA

With the onset of COVID-19, physical meetings became less with fewer numbers of attendees. World over, Office of the Prime Minister notwithstanding, workplaces took on virtual meetings that have proved to meet targets of the different institutions. Zoom is arguably the most popular application for the meetings.

There isn’t a better time, than in this era, at which Office of the Prime Minister would get support from USAID through the Maternal Child Health and Nutrition Activity- FHI360 (USAID MCHN). The boost was in terms of an assortment of Information Technology (IT) equipment for the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan (UNAP) Secretariat.

On 28th September 2021, flanked by the Principal Information Systems Officer, Mr. Robert Lwasa and staff of the Directorate of Strategic Coordination and Implementation (SCI), Commissioner Joses Tegyeza, on behalf of the OPM, received the items. These included; a 65-inch LG smart TV; 2 Epson E01 projectors; a DELL laptop, a Jabra speaker mic and a Logitech camera.

“We thank USAID/MCHN-FHi360 for the support. USAID has been working closely with Government of Uganda through the UNAP secretariat towards strengthening multi-sectoral nutrition coordination. The COVID 19 pandemic has brought an appreciation on the need to invest in communication mechanisms for effective engagements. The equipment will enable the UNAP secretariat to hold more virtual communication. This will enhance effective coordination and engagements with various actors in the nutrition field both at national and subnational levels while adhering to the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures,” Mr. Tegyeza explained.

While handing over the items at the OPM, Dr. Nathan Tumwesigye, Chief of Party for the MCHN Activity- FHI360, said that the IT equipment was part of their commitment to support government in execution of UNAPII.

“We will provide technical assistance based on the UNAP Secretariat’s requirements. USAID/MCHN Activity is giving the same support to Kampala Capital City Authority, Ministry of health and other healthcare facilities for nutrition specific activities,” Dr. Tumwesigye said.

The UNAP secretariat is under OPM’s Strategic Coordination and Implementation Directorate. It is mandated to coordinate national interventions striving to improve the nutrition status of children under five years, school-age children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable groups by 2025. END