World Bank Assisted Healthcare Intervention Projects and Economic Development of Communities in Imo State

Abstract

This research investigated World Bank assisted healthcare intervention projects and economic development of communities in Imo State. The study had three specific objectives which are to: investigate the effect of World Bank essential medications intervention on development of communities in Imo State; determine the extent to which World Bank healthcare infrastructure intervention has affected development of communities in Imo State; and analyze the effect of World Bank nutrition-focused programs on development of communities in Imo State. The survey research design was used which took samples from 253 residents of nine communities in Imo State. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the respondents and the data were analyzed using Ordinary Least Square regression. The result revealed a positive and significant relationship between World Bank essential medications intervention and development of communities in Imo State. Also, World Bank healthcare infrastructure intervention significantly decreased development of communities in Imo State, while nutrition-focused program of the World Bank had significantly negative effect on development of communities in Imo State. The study concluded that only World Bank intervention in the provision of essential medications has positive and significant effect on development of communities in Imo State. It was recommended that the World Bank should show more commitment to healthcare infrastructure since the existing ones are no longer conducive for healthcare delivery as well as the improvement of their nutrition-based programs to cater for efficient human capital and overall development