World Bank and IMF are lending institutions that provide funding to developing countries. These developing countries are to use this funding to support projects and/or policies that are designed to fight poverty and other economic concerns. Developing countries such as, Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) are plagued with poverty, health concerns and lack many of the basic necessities to live. Many question whether the support from these institutions are beneficial or do they actually hinder the development of countries such as DRC. I believe that, developing countries can benefit from the aid the World Bank and IMF can provide them. With the support from the World Bank and IMF they can build hospitals, roads, schools, or put in place reforms to help become a developed country.

The DRC once plagued with conflict and civil wars leaving the country in a fragile place. The outlook for the DRC looks promising, they have made significant economic progress since the wars. The World Banks shows that DRC registered a growth rate of 8.5% in 2013 and it also shows that inflation was at 53% in 2009 but it fell to 1% in 2013. The World Bank expects the economy to grow steadily in the medium term at around 7 to 8%.These results are not just from funding from the World Bank but a combination of a change in government structure and also public investments. The country has made great strides in rebuilding the country. The change in the government matrix and the funding from World Bank allowed the country to make the changes required to get on the right path.

Health is an important factor in any country’s economy developed or developing.. People who are health tend to be are more productive and have the ability to do a better performance at their job. Healthy children are able to go to school and able to continue their education. Many though get stuck in the healthcare trap, parents unable to work or unable to pay for medicine . Force to borrow money to pay for medicine or food when unable to work. The interest on these loans are high and the poor fall deeper into poverty. A better health care system can also extend the life expectancy of people, people live longer and healthier lives. The concerns of health care of the country does not just stop at citizens. A better health care for a country overall helps them economically especially for a developing country. A developing country cannot just depend on the aid from World Bank, investors provide business which provide jobs

The DRC has been progress in the health care aspect as well, but Maleria has been another war that as been going on. In 2006 about 6.7million cases were reported in DRC. Now vaccination coverage for children under the age of one rose from 54% in 2007 to 83% in 2011 under the Health Sector Rehabilitation Support Project (HSRSP).(Our Africa) The country still has far to go the heath care is still struggling “.There is only 1 doctor and 5 nurses/midwives for every 10,000 people in the DR Congo, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2000-2010.” In the DRC the hospitals and health centers are poorly staffed as well as equipped.Most hospitals and health centres across the DR Congo are poorly staffed and equipped. Many of the professional have been forced to go private or they have chosen to emigrate. This is because the health professional were not and have not received a wage from the government.(Our Africa)

The World Bank may offer funds but it is the leadership help those funds go to the appropriate places. It is leadership that sees where changes need to be made and have the power to make those changes for the people. Without leadership the funds provided by the World Bank or by the IMF are useless. Many developed countries suffer from corrupt leadership who use these funds for personal gain. The people continue to fall deeper into debt and the people continue to suffer. The DRC has made significant changes in the structure of their government and along it great changes in their economy.

The DRC is now under the leadership of President Joseph Kabila who has taken the country on a path of greatness, with the help of the Prime Minister Matata Pony. According to the IMF reports the DRC's GDP grew by 8.3% and with President Kabila. This is due to the policies that have been put into place by the President and the Prime Minister. These policies and reforms have taken DRC very far the country is in a better economic state and the in the DRC have translated to better living conditions for its people. Prime Minister Ponyo and President Kabila have made chances to the government which include creating transparent processes, minimizing bureaucracy for business start-ups and creating anti-corruption programs. The importance of great leadership is to ensure that the people’s best interest is not only in mind but put first. This is difficult when there is no check and balances in place but Prime Minister and President Kabila have shown great leadership in building up DRC.

When it comes to developing countries and lending institutions the successfulness of the country depends on the leadership of the government. To many countries fall prey to corruption and, inexperienced leaders. The DRC is a great example for many developing countries to follow, it shows that progress can be made with the right changes and the right leaders in charge.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/drc/overview#3

http://www.our-africa.org/democratic-republic-of-congo/poverty-healthcare
References TRUSTFULL, P. (2014). The Democratic Republic of Congo. Forbes, 194(2), 1-7.