Background and Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) affected millions of people worldwide and caused disruptions at the global level including in healthcare provision. Countries of the WHO African region have put in place measures for the COVID‐19 pandemic containment that may adversely affect blood system activities and subsequently reduce the supply and demand of blood and blood components. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on blood supply and demand in the WHO African Region and propose measures to address the challenges faced by countries. Materials and Methods A survey questionnaire was sent to all 47 countries in the WHO African Region to collect information on blood supply and demand for the first 5 months of 2019 and 2020, respectively, and on COVID‐19 Convalescent Plasma therapy in September 2020. Results Thirty‐seven countries provided responses. The total number of blood donations dropped in 32 countries while it increased in five countries. The proportion of blood drives also decreased in 21 countries and increased in nine countries. The blood requested and issued for transfusion decreased for blood demand and for blood issued for transfusion in 30 countries. Ten countries reported some activities of convalescent plasma. However, very few units of this product collected have been transfused to COVID‐19 patients. Conclusion The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a reduction of blood related activities in the region, including the supply and demand. Countries preparedness plans for health emergencies need more emphasis to maintaining blood stock.

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Introduction : Au Sénégal, la problématique de l’accès aux services de santé maternelle, reproductive et sexuelle demeure une priorité sanitaire. Malgré de nombreuses interventions sanitaires, l’accès des femmes aux services de santé reste limité du fait de leur faible autonomie concernant les décisions pour leur santé. But de l’étude : L’objectif de cette étude était d’étudier les facteurs associés à l’autonomie décisionnelle des femmes par rapport à leur santé au Sénégal en 2017. Résultats : Moins d’une femme sur 10 (6,26 %) était autonome par rapport aux décisions de santé. Pour 80,33 % des femmes, c’est leur mari ou partenaire qui les prenaient à leur place. Les facteurs associés à l’autonomie décisionnelle de la femme étaient les tranches d’âges 20-24 ans et 45-49 ans, avec respectivement des rapports de cotes ( odds ratios ) ajustés (ORa) de 0,28 [0,10-0,77] et de 2,99 [1,25-7,17], le milieu d’habitat rural (ORa = 0,52 [0,34-0,80]), le niveau d’instruction supérieur de la femme (ORa = 4,10 [1,54-10,93]), le niveau d’instruction primaire du mari/partenaire (ORa = 1,98 [1,08-3,61]), le statut marital de la femme (ORa = 0,09 [0,02-0,38]) et le fait que celle-ci exerce une activité génératrice de revenus (ORa = 3,70 [2,52-5,44]). Conclusions : Cette étude a mis en évidence un taux faible d’autonomie de décision chez les femmes sénégalaises. Elle a permis également d’identifier les facteurs sur lesquels il faudrait agir pour améliorer l’autonomie décisionnelle des femmes concernant leur santé. Il s’agit de l’accès à l’éducation des femmes et de la promotion des activités génératrices de revenus chez ces dernières.

Background It is now 25 years since the adoption of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the same concerns raised during its negotiations such as high prices of medicines, market exclusivity and delayed market entry for generics remain relevant as highlighted recently by the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandate to work on the interface between intellectual property, innovation and access to medicine has been continually reinforced and extended to include providing support to countries on the implementation of TRIPS flexibilities in collaboration with stakeholders. This study analyses the role of intellectual property on access to medicines in the African Region. Methods We analyze patent data from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) to provide a situational analysis of patenting activity and trends. We also review legislation to assess how TRIPS flexibilities are implemented in countries.Results Patenting was low for African countries. Only South Africa and Cameroon appeared in the list of top ten originator countries for ARIPO and OAPI respectively. Main diseases covered by African patents were HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and tumors. Majority countries have legislation allowing for compulsory licensing and parallel importation of medicines, while the least legislated flexibilities were explicit exemption of pharmaceutical products from patentable subject matter, new or second use of patented pharmaceutical products, imposition of limits to patent term extension and test data protection. 39 countries have applied TRIPS flexibilities, with the most common being compulsory licensing and LDC transition provisions. Discussion Countries of the WHO African Region operate within a multi-layered IP regulatory landscape globally and at regional level which is characterized by inconsistencies and misalignment which limit the extent to which countries can implement TRIPS flexibilities. Conclusions Opportunities exist for WHO to work with ARIPO and OAPI to support countries in reviewing their legislation to be more responsive to public health needs.