Women leaders in global health share their stories around gaps in gender equity in the global health architecture. Plus, the State Department launches a new platform that invites NGOs to apply to support bilateral health deals, and Africa CDC turns to debt swaps.

There’s one area considered a largely untapped resource for health finance on the African continent: converting debt into funds for health programs. Africa CDC has hired a special adviser to guide the agency on scaling these transactions for countries. www.devex.com/news/africa-...

The U.S. State Department launched a new platform that, for the first time, demonstrates how it will operationalize funding of global health projects outside of the bilateral health deals it’s signing with countries. Importantly, NGOs are eligible. www.devex.com/news/us-laun...

On March 9th, I'll be co-moderating an important discussion hosted by Women in Global Health on the state of women leadership in global health and the persistent gaps in women’s access to health services and how this impacts health outcomes. Please join us! lnkd.in/eDV3D3_X

3)Foreign aid cuts hinder global efforts to end female genital mutilation. @sarajerving.bsky.social traveled to Kenya's Narok County to visit rescue homes & health facilities, documenting the stories of FGM and early marriage survivors and those fighting the practice. www.devex.com/news/steep-a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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

“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...

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 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...

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 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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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-...

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...

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-...

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...

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

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...

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.

This is part of the State Department’s new strategy around global health — engaging directly with countries as opposed to through implementing partners.

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...

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...

‘America First’ in global health: Oxymoron or opportunity? Or a bit of both? www.devex.com/news/america...

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...

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative plans to cut next year's budget by 30% over what it originally planned. Though polio funding levels have so far remained steady in the U.S., several donors — including the U.K. & Germany — are expected to make cuts. www.devex.com/news/global-...

I'll be joined by Prof Lawrence Gostin and @rachelbonnifield.bsky.social on Thursday for a @devex.com Pro briefing to unpack the implications of the 'America First' global health strategy. Register here: www.devex.com/events/the-p...

Join Devex as we trek across Madagascar to hear the stories of those who’ve worked to keep polio at bay.

Madagascar faced a polio outbreak that left dozens paralyzed. In response, the government and its partners launched 7 sweeping vaccination campaigns. I traveled across the country to hear the stories of those who've worked to keep polio at bay. devex.shorthandstories.com/madagascars-...

The “Accra Reset" is an effort to declare an end to the era of development-as-usual. “The cracks in the global order are growing deeper,” said Ghana’s President Mahama. “The world needs a reset, a re-engineering of the very logic of development itself.” www.devex.com/news/the-acc...

Afghanistan sees telecom shutdown as Taliban cut off internet: www.bbc.com/news/article...

The Trump administration says its future involvement in global health will prioritize country-to-country relationships. Africa CDC is working to ensure it will still play a role in the country’s strategy: www.devex.com/news/what-ro...

India-based generic manufacturers are expected to produce the highly effective new injection that prevents HIV transmission at $40 — the same price as daily oral PrEP.

Under two new partnerships announced today, India-based generic manufacturers are expected to produce the highly effective Lenacapvir, a new 6-month injection that prevents HIV transmission, for $40 per patient per year — the same price as daily oral PrEP. www.devex.com/news/new-par...

Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed 60,000 people. 18,500 were children. Here are their names. www.washingtonpost.com/world/intera...