On December 1, 2023, ICAP observed World AIDS Day 2023 in a variety of ways in the countries where it works. Globally, it organized and presented a webinar – Is the End of AIDS in Sight? – that discussed both progress and challenges on the path towards ending AIDS as a public health threat. It began with a keynote address from Jessica Justman, MD, ICAP’s senior technical director, followed by a panel discussion that included ICAP’s director, Wafaa El-Sadr, MD, MPH, MPA; Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH, director of Duke University’s Global Health Institute; Nyaradzo Mgodi, MBChB, MMed, from the University of Zimbabwe; and Jeffrey Walimbwa, health and programs coordinator for Ishtar MSM in Kenya.
Watch a recording of the webinar here. Below, view a collection of photos and learn more about ICAP’s World AIDS Day activities in Tanzania, Latin America, Myanmar, and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
ICAP in Tanzania participated in World AIDS Day commemorations organized by Tanzania Commission for AIDS, in Morogoro. Events included a week-long exhibition leading up to World AIDS Day; then, on December 1, the Prime Minister of Tanzania officially launched the preliminary results of the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) 2022-2023. Supported by PEPFAR through CDC, and conducted with technical assistance from ICAP, THIS 2022-2023 plays a critical role in measuring Tanzania’s progress in controlling the HIV epidemic.
The Prime Minister of Tanzania launched the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS 2022-2023) preliminary results, which shows that HIV prevalence in Tanzania has decreased from 5 percent (2016-2017) to 4.4 percent (2022-2023). Tanzania has met the second of the three UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets ahead of 2025, demonstrating access to robust treatment among those who are aware of their HIV-positive status. Supported by PEPFAR through CDC, and conducted with technical assistance from ICAP, THIS 2022-2023 plays a critical role in measuring Tanzania’s progress in controlling the HIV epidemic.
In honor of World AIDS Day, ICAP in Latin America partnered with civil society organizations in Guatemala and Honduras to create quilt panels in memory of HIV activists from those countries; the project is inspired by the National AIDS Memorial Quilt in the United States.
For the World AIDS Day 2023 commemoration in Yangon Region, ICAP assisted a local civil society organization, Phoenix Association, in crafting information, education, and communication materials for the organization’s display booth that aligned with this year’s World AIDS Day slogan. ICAP also helped Phoenix to develop an online quiz and to create a special corner for participants to take the quiz. The final display booth prominently featured messaging on HIV transmission, testing, and the U=U concept, in addition to information about the Phoenix Association.
ICAP in Eswatini participated in the national World AIDS Day commemoration, held at the Gilgal Inkhundla in the Lubombo region. This year’s theme was “Let Eswatini communities lead in ending AIDS.” ICAP had a stall where it promoted, amongst other things, achievements from various ICAP projects in Eswatini, including HIV recency testing, COVID-19 sentinel surveillance, laboratory quality assurance activities, HPV vaccination, and SHIMS 3, the country’s third Population-based HIV Impact Assessment (PHIA) survey that was implemented by ICAP in partnership with the government and supported by PEPFAR through the CDC.
About ICAP
A major global health organization that has been improving public health in countries around the world for two decades, ICAP works to transform the health of populations through innovation, science, and global collaboration. Based at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, ICAP has projects in more than 40 countries, working side-by-side with ministries of health and local governmental, non-governmental, academic, and community partners to confront some of the world’s greatest health challenges. Through evidence-informed programs, meaningful research, tailored technical assistance, effective training and education programs, and rigorous surveillance to measure and evaluate the impact of public health interventions, ICAP aims to realize a global vision of healthy people, empowered communities, and thriving societies. Online at icap.columbia.edu
