MTCT-Plus Initiative

In 2002, the MTCT-Plus Initiative was established as the first HIV care and treatment program at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. Before that time, in low resource, high prevalence settings, programs to prevent mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV were limited to prevention interventions and did not provide care nor antiretroviral treatment to HIV-infected pregnant women and children. The MTCT-Plus Initiative, recognizing the important roles that women and mothers play in their families and communities, built on PMTCT programs to include comprehensive treatment services for women identified as HIV-infected during pregnancy and to their families. The Initiative was conceptualized to meet the needs of each family member infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Thus, all HIV services, including antiretroviral therapy (ART), are extended to each mother's HIV-infected children, partners, and other family members. The Initiative is known internationally as a model program for family-based care.

The MTCT-Plus Model of Care has been implemented through 14 clinical programs based in nine countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, and was the original framework on which the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs was developed. The Initiative has provided life-saving care and treatment to more than 16,000 adults and children and has made valuable contributions toward increasing community awareness and preserving families.