ICAP, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

ICAP was founded in 2004 at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Now a global leader in HIV/AIDS services, ICAP has supported work at more than 1,200 sites across 21 countries around the world. More than one million people have received HIV services through ICAP-supported programs.   APPROACH ICAP programs are built on the belief that HIV/AIDS services should be universally available and accessible. They also recognize the rights and obligations of host countries to design and implement locally appropriate programs. With this mind, ICAP works with Ministries of Health, local governmental organizations, and in-country partners to develop sustainable HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment programs that are integrated into national HIV/AIDS control programs. ICAP supports an array of capacity-building initiatives, including: Infrastructure development; Human resource development; Laboratory, clinic, and pharmacy renovations; Procurement of antiretroviral medications, supplies, and equipment; Technical training and clinical mentoring; Monitoring, evaluation, and research; Management and administrative systems development.   ICAP-supported HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs are based on a comprehensive model pioneered by ICAP leadership. The ICAP model consists of: A family-focused approach to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services; Support for multidisciplinary teams of healthcare providers; A continuum of clinical and supportive services to meet patient and family needs at every stage of HIV disease; Programs to promote retention and adherence to HIV care and treatment; Empowerment of patients and their families; Linkages to community resources.   WHAT WE DO ICAP supports three broad health-related areas: service delivery (programs); training; monitoring, evaluation, and research.   Programs Comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment, including antiretroviral therapy, for children and adults; Family-focused care with attention to the needs of women and children; Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and PMTCT Centers ; Integration of PMTCT services into maternal-child health, reproductive, and immunization services; Integration of tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS care and treatment; Integration of malaria and HIV/AIDS care and treatment; ICAP Nurse Capacity Initiative; Pediatric Centers of Excellence; Tuberculosis/HIV Model Centers; Comprehensive Family Care Centers; Infrastructure development, including laboratories, clinics, pharmacies, and other facilities; Support for procurement of antiretroviral and other medications; Support for medical records systems; Counseling and psychosocial support; Empowerment of HIV-infected individuals and linkages to community resources; Treatment adherence programs; Peer intervention, education, and navigation programs; Support groups for patients and families; Prevention for positives and substance users; Healthcare workforce development. Food banks and nutrition assistance; Income-generating programs.   Training Skills-building workshops for all cadres; Pediatric training programs, including the South-to-South Partnership for Comprehensive Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment and pediatric centers of excellence; Multidisciplinary clinical training, precepting, and mentoring; Nurse mentors program; Training for medical technicians and pharmacy assistants; Continuing medical education programs; Training in research methods and procedures; Manuals, job aides, and tools; Training publications and materials for building clinical mentorship skills; Technical training in Good Laboratory Practice; Support for strengthened national curricula and training protocols; Internships, clerkships, monitoring and evaluation practicums, and women's health and HIV fellowships for Columbia University students; Clinical experiences for Brazilian infectious disease doctors; Tuberculosis infection control.   Monitoring, Evaluation, and Research Computer-based records systems; Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping; Unified Reporting System; Financial tracking systems; Identifying optimal HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment models in resource-limited settings; Identifying optimal PMTCT approaches; Identifying optimal interventions for TB management in HIV-infected individuals; Identifying optimal interventions for nutrition supplementation; Field appropriate laboratory assays; Studies of microbicides for the prevention of HIV transmission; Avian flu surveillance   A number of ICAP faculty also work through the Mailman School of Public Health Center for Infectious Disease Epidemiologic Research (CIDER) to conduct studies on the epidemiology of infectious diseases of domestic and international significance and to provide training opportunities for young investigators.