Regional partnerships to strengthen national data capacities for HIV, TB, and other pandemic preparedness and response under pepfar - to achieve and sustain universal HIV epidemic control, timely…

Regional partnerships to strengthen national data capacities for HIV, TB, and other pandemic preparedness and response under pepfar - to achieve and sustain universal HIV epidemic control, timely collection and use of accurate, quality data are critical to strengthen testing, prevention and treatment cascades to reduce new infections and deaths, achieve health equity for priority and key populations, respond to public health (PH) priorities, and empower governments to lead through evidence-based decision-making. Robust HIV data platforms, if leveraged fully, can enhance health data collection, management, and analysis capabilities, increase health system resilience, and support monitoring of emerging PH threats. With experience in over 40 pepfar-supported countries, including all countries identified in this nofo, and a robust portfolio of strategic information (SI) activities, surveillance, surveys, HIV and PH program support, multi-country experience and global presence, icap at columbia university (icap) and its partners will advance the collection, processing, and use of surveillance, survey, and program data to inform local and national responses to HIV, TB, and other PH priorities and contribute to pandemic preparedness and health security in pepfar-supported countries through the most appropriate combination of capacity strengthening (CS), technical assistance (TA), and/or direct implementation support. The expected long-term outcomes are 1)sustained capacity and country ownership of SI, surveillance and survey activities; increased integration and triangulation of surveillance and non-HIV reportable disease/conditions surveillance; 3) improved equity in service provision; 4) sustained national and local m & e and SI capacity; 4) increased use of real- time predictions based on integrated statistical and ML models; and 5) sustained country- owned and managed processes for data visualization, analysis, and use to guide PH programs. Icap will collaborate with diverse stakeholders (e.g., government entities, civil society organizations, CDC, pepfar implementing partners, and others) to plan, implement, support, and coordinate activities and ensure a deliberate, milestone-driven approach to strengthen national and regional data capacities and capabilities under local leadership and advance data for decision-making for current and emerging PH priorities. Icap TA and CS aims to ensure local institutional full ownership and direct management, resulting in the greatest impact and sustained gains. Icap's capability maturity model (CMM) will be collaboratively tailored to the scope of each project with ministries of health (MOH), national PH institutes (nphi), CDC, and other stakeholders, and used to provide metrics to 1) assess baseline capabilities and their progression over time; and 2) guide type and dosage of TA and CS. Each CMM will define core functional domains in which capability is required for a specific project (e.g. plan, design, implement household surveys), as well as a measurable indicator for each stepwise stage of organizational maturity in each domain. Collaborative CMM assessments at project inception and at least annually thereafter, will guide development and updating of organization-tailored CS plans to meet the goals and objectives of this nofo in a successful and sustainable way. Icap will blend appropriate TA and CS modalities to measurably strengthen system-wide, institutional, and individual capacity in relevant domains. For example, competency-based blended learning education platforms, may be paired with on-the-job training, case-based learning, mentorship, cascaded training, and supportive supervision integrated into existing programs, services, and workflows. Icap will also support peer learning (e.g., for nphi staff within and across countries), as well as topic-focused communities of practice and curated south-south exchanges to share best practices and innovations for the strategies in this proposal.