The UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) warned at the opening of the 76th Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in Addis Ababa that rising debt payments are crowding out health spending in Africa's poorest countries, and out-of-pocket medical costs push 150 million people into poverty annually. ECA Chief of Staff Aboubakri Diaw, speaking on behalf of Executive Secretary Claver Gatete, told health ministers that Africa's health sector suffers from a financing gap and a confidence gap, which cannot be borrowed but must be built. The session was opened by Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, with AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in attendance.
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