Sara Jerving
sarajerving.bsky.social
Sara Jerving
@sarajerving.bsky.social
Global health reporter with @Devex.com

https://www.devex.com/news/authors/sara-jerving-1322350
“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...
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.
www.devex.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
At @devex.com we have a content series analyzing the future of global health. Check out our coverage here: www.devex.com/focus/global...
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...
www.devex.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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...
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.
www.devex.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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...
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...
www.devex.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:46 AM
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...
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.
www.devex.com
December 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
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
December 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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...
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.
www.devex.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:39 AM
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...
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.’”
www.devex.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:18 PM
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...
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...
www.devex.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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...
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...
www.devex.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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-...
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.
www.devex.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
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?
Will African nations lose their leverage in an ‘America first’ health plan?
www.devex.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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...
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.
www.devex.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
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
Global Fund raised $11.34 billion with a surprising US pledge
www.devex.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:59 AM
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-...
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.
www.devex.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
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
US health strategy aims to position African governments as customers
www.devex.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:14 AM
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...
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.
www.devex.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
The government is moving toward funding a smaller batch of multilaterals, as opposed to providing smaller grants to a broader set of organizations.
Denmark to cut IAVI funds, prioritizing multilaterals over smaller grants
Denmark to cut IAVI funds, prioritizing multilaterals over smaller grants
www.devex.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:39 PM
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
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...
www.devex.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
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.
Gavi and partners reached HPV vaccine goal, immunizing 86 million girls
Gavi and partners reached HPV vaccine goal, immunizing 86 million girls
www.devex.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
This is part of the State Department’s new strategy around global health — engaging directly with countries as opposed to through implementing partners.
US has begun bilateral health negotiations with 16 African nations
US has begun bilateral health negotiations with 16 African nations
www.devex.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Denmark, which has been a consistent supporter of IAVI for over 2 decades, is planning to cut support. The government is moving toward funding a smaller batch of multilaterals, as opposed to providing smaller grants to a broader set of organizations. www.devex.com/news/denmark...
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.
www.devex.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Experts are raising concern around a template for bilateral agreements between the U.S. and partner governments that includes pathogen sharing. www.devex.com/news/us-temp...
US template for bilateral health deals bypasses WHO pandemic negotiations
Experts are raising concern around a template for bilateral agreements between the U.S. and partner governments that includes pathogen sharing and agreements on automatic approval for American product...
www.devex.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:07 PM
‘America First’ in global health: Oxymoron or opportunity? Or a bit of both? www.devex.com/news/america...
November 6, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by Sara Jerving
Fanastic piece by @sarajerving.bsky.social of @devex.com with @jirairratevosian.bsky.social @gostin.bsky.social & @globalhealthorg.bsky.social on the future of global health.

As our ED said, “This administration moves w/reckless abandon — & Congress moves not at all.”

www.devex.com/news/america...
‘America First’ in global health: Oxymoron or opportunity?
Or a bit of both?
www.devex.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:25 PM