Sara Jerving

US State Department signs first Western Hemisphere bilateral health deal The U.S. will provide up to $22.5 million to Panama over the next three years, with Panama cofinancing the agreement by increasing its own health domestic spending by over $11 million during that time...

The US State Dept signed its first Western Hemisphere bilateral health deal: It will provide up to $22.5 million to Panama over the next 3 years, with Panama cofinancing the agreement with $11 million. www.devex.com/news/us-stat...

Demographic and Health Surveys reemerge with Gates funds after Trump cut But the program must chart a longer-term path towards sustainability with a leaner structure, smaller annual budget, and a greater use of technology.

Last year, the Trump administration cut funding for the Demographic and Health Surveys program after four decades of support. Now the program is back, with Gates Foundation as the largest donor. But the program must chart a new path towards sustainability.

www.devex.com/news/demogra...

WHO's Africa chief on why health system reform is a marathon Dr. Mohamed Janabi, the new regional director of the World Health Organization's office for Africa, outlined his vision for advancing health sovereignty for countries across the continent.

Last Friday, during a @devex.com Pro event, I spoke with Dr. Janabi, the new regional director of WHO's Africa Office @afro.who.int He told me health reform on the continent is a marathon. “I think what matters is that we are moving decisively to the right direction.”

www.devex.com/news/who-s-a...

Steep aid cuts put slow gains against female genital mutilation at risk In places where female genital mutilation is deeply embedded in local traditions, progress toward ending it is slow. Now, sharp cuts to foreign aid have hindered global efforts to eliminate FGM, inclu...

In places where female genital mutilation is deeply embedded in culture, progress toward ending it is slow. I visited Narok County, Kenya, where grassroots organizations are working to educate communities around its dangers and help girls escape it. devex.shorthandstories.com/steep-aid-cu...

WHO’s new Africa chief on strengthening the continent’s health security Navigating aid cuts and health reform in Africa with Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi.

On February 20th, I'll be speaking with Dr. Mohamed Yakub Janabi, the regional director of the World Health Organisation's Africa Office @afro.who.int on strengthening health security on the continent. Please join for this important conversation! Register here: www.devex.com/events/who-s...

A statement from Columbia Journalism School faculty on the federal raid of a @washingtonpost.com reporter’s home: https://journalism.columbia.edu/news/faculty-statement-washington-post

Unexpected global health wins in the US foreign aid bill U.S. lawmakers released a foreign assistance appropriations bill that allocates $9.4 billion for global health.

U.S. lawmakers released a foreign aid bill that contains some positive — and surprising — news for the global health community if passed into law. For example, while the Trump admin slashed family planning funds in its proposed budget, this bill includes it.
www.devex.com/news/unexpec...

US Congress backs Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, despite Trump admin cuts Six months ago the Trump administration said it would cut funding for Gavi but the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives included funding for it in its foreign assistance appropriations bill.

The U.S. Congress have included funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, in their foreign aid bill. This is a welcome development for the global health community, given that six months ago, the Trump admin said it would cut all funding for the org.
www.devex.com/news/us-cong...

After a year of chaos, US CDC’s global health work hangs in the balance Staff cuts, loss of expertise, shuttered programs, and the withdrawal from the World Health Organization are worrying those who’ve invested deeply in the agency's decades-long work in global health.

Staff cuts, loss of expertise, shuttered programs, and the withdrawal from the World Health Organization are worrying those who’ve invested deeply in the U.S. CDC's decades-long work in global health. www.devex.com/news/after-a...

The key players in 'America First' foreign aid It hasn’t always been clear who is calling the shots in the new world of U.S. foreign aid. Here is our rundown of the key players you need to know in a moment of uncertainty.

A rundown of the key players in 'America First' foreign aid, by @alterigoe.bsky.social www.devex.com/news/the-key...

Alarm bells ring as US rolls out transactional strings for health deals Negotiations with Zambia and Nigeria are the most stark examples of where the Trump administration has made explicit terms around nonhealth metrics it wants in return for aid.

“Conditioning health assistance on religious affiliation or political reforms risks fragmenting national health strategies and bypassing continental frameworks like the AU’s Agenda 2063 and Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order,” said Amref Health Africa’s Desta Lakew. www.devex.com/news/alarm-b...

The Future of Global Health Decades of progress in global health were built on the backbone of foreign aid. But as that funding erodes, so too does the stability of the system it supported. In this Devex series, we delve into th...

At @devex.com we have a content series analyzing the future of global health. Check out our coverage here: www.devex.com/focus/global...

NGOs must prove relevance to survive in 'America First' health strategy “Organizations will remain relevant to the extent that they shift and understand the countries are in charge, which is what should have happened a long time ago,” says Dr. Mark Dybul.

NGOs can carve out a space for themselves in the new U.S. bilateral health deals — as long as they prove their relevance to the governments that America is partnering with, and are willing to adapt to new realities. That’s what experts said during a @devex.com briefing. www.devex.com/news/ngos-mu...

The Kenya-US health deal is pragmatic, but could have been done better Opinion: Kenya made a pragmatic choice in a crisis. However, that shouldn’t require sacrificing principles and the world should build systems where developing countries can access critical health fund...

Amref's Dr. Githinji Gitahi writes on the new U.S. bilateral health deals: "It’s about securing strategic partnerships, building American companies, and controlling access to biological resources." www.devex.com/news/the-ken...

Inside the U.S. bilateral health agreements We learn about how the process is working in countries, and hear predictions around how this could influence the future of global health.

The U.S. State Dept is moving across the African continent signing bilateral health deals. On Dec. 16th, I'm moderating a @devex.com discussion w/ Aggrey Aluso, Dr. Mark Dybul, and @jirairratevosian.bsky.social about how these deals are unfolding. Register to join us: www.devex.com/events/insid...

How can black soldier flies reduce malnutrition, pressure on forests, and improve access to affordable organic fertilizers?

Devex’s @sarajerving.bsky.social traveled to Madagascar to find out how these insects are poised to transform food systems and sustainable agriculture.

#Madagascar

Rapid US health deals spark concerns over lack of public consultation Many are concerned that the State Department is signing these agreements with countries too fast and without public participation.

The U.S. is on a rapid-fire quest to sign new bilateral health agreements. But many are concerned that the State Dept is signing these agreements too fast and without public participation. www.devex.com/news/rapid-u...

Kenya limits US access to disease outbreak data in new bilateral deal “We did not negotiate a specimen-sharing agreement,” said Kenyan Ministry of Health's Dr. Ouma Oluga. “This is something that they really wanted but we said: ‘Wait a minute, we will not do it.’”

The Kenyan govt said it didn’t sign a specimen-sharing agreement for disease outbreaks with the U.S. but will share data on request if regulators sign off and the data relates to U.S.-supported work. This comes in the wake of a bilateral health deal signed last week. www.devex.com/news/kenya-l...

State Dept taps African faith groups for bilateral health deal consults African Christian faith leaders gathered in Nairobi this week. While the U.S. State Department said it will leverage faith-based organizations in its new approach to global health, there’s concern ove...

The U.S. State Dept is calling African faith communities in for meetings to consult on the ongoing bilateral health negotiations. But given MOUs are signed with governments, it leaves questions on what role they'll play when the agreements are rolled out. www.devex.com/news/state-d...

Can a ‘magical’ insect help Madagascar battle malnutrition, deforestation? The black soldier fly is considered delicious and nutritious. Researchers hope the flies can help reduce malnutrition and pressure on forests, as well as improve access to affordable organic fertilize...

The black soldier fly is considered delicious and nutritious. Researchers in Madagascar hope the flies can help reduce malnutrition and pressure on forests, as well as improve access to affordable organic fertilizers. www.devex.com/news/can-a-m...

Ex-top USAID official details wish list on health and funding fixes Bill Steiger, former USAID chief of staff in the first Trump administration, warns Congress about biosecurity threats and backs push for greater global health self-reliance.

Bill Steiger said Congress should give the State Dept the ability to negotiate bilateral compacts. “We’re not going to get to what the administration wants with nonbinding MOUs. We’re going to only get there with binding contacts,” he said.

By Adva Saldinger

www.devex.com/news/ex-top-...

Will African nations lose their leverage in an ‘America first’ health plan? Will African nations lose their leverage in an ‘America first’ health plan?

Public health experts expressed concern that African governments are losing their collective bargaining power with the ‘America First’ approach to global health.

Will African nations lose their leverage in an ‘America first’ health plan? Public health experts expressed concern that African governments are losing their collective bargaining power with the ‘America First’ approach to global health.

Health experts are concerned that African governments are losing their collective bargaining power under the United States’ new “America First” global health strategy as they sit alone across the negotiating table from the world’s most powerful nation.

www.devex.com/news/will-af...

Global Fund raised $11.34 billion with a surprising US pledge Global Fund raised $11.34 billion with a surprising US pledge

The U.S. showed unexpected levels of support, pledging $4.6 billion and maintaining its matching pledge ratio.

Global Fund raised $11.34 billion with a surprising US pledge The U.S. showed unexpected levels of support, pledging $4.6 billion and maintaining its matching pledge ratio.

The Global Fund reached $11.34 billion of its $18 billion target during its pledging event. The wild card was the U.S., which showed surprising levels of support with a pledge of $4.6 billion, in the wake of mixed messages from the Trump administration. www.devex.com/news/global-...

US health strategy aims to position African governments as customers US health strategy aims to position African governments as customers

Under the ‘America First’ global health strategy, African governments “won’t be aid recipients, but customers who recognize value,” said the State Department's Jeff Graham.

US health strategy aims to position African governments as customers Under the ‘America First’ global health strategy, African governments “won’t be aid recipients, but customers who recognize value,” said the State Department's Jeff Graham.

Under the ‘America First’ global health strategy, African governments “won’t be aid recipients, but customers who recognize value,” said the State Department's Jeff Graham. www.devex.com/news/us-heal...

Denmark to cut IAVI funds, prioritizing multilaterals over smaller grants Denmark to cut IAVI funds, prioritizing multilaterals over smaller grants

The government is moving toward funding a smaller batch of multilaterals, as opposed to providing smaller grants to a broader set of organizations.

Gavi and partners reached HPV vaccine goal, immunizing 86 million girls The vaccine alliance reached its target of immunizing an estimated 86 million girls with the vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection which can lead to cervical can...

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance reached its target of vaccinating an estimated 86 million girls with the vaccine that prevents HPV www.devex.com/news/gavi-an...

Gavi and partners reached HPV vaccine goal, immunizing 86 million girls Gavi and partners reached HPV vaccine goal, immunizing 86 million girls

The vaccine alliance reached its target of immunizing an estimated 86 million girls with the vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection which can lead to cervical cancer.