A Study on the Service Radii and Accessibility to Health Facilities in Suleja, Niger State.

Abstract

Government policies over the years has centered on the provision and delivery of healthcare to all. Spatial distribution of health facilities is subject to a number of social and commercial influences and healthcare needs of the population. The objective of this paper analyzed the service radii and accessibility of health facilities to people in different neighborhoods in the study area. The location of all hospitals and clinics in Suleja were identified and mapped with the use of ARCGIS software. Furthermore 231 questionnaires were administered to both male and female patients in the thirty- seven (37) health facilities identified in the study area. Analytical method such as Lorenz curve was used to show the level of inequality between the population and available health facilities. Hospitals and Clinics showed evidence of clustering in Madalla and Kabula districts, the reason for this could be attributed to the disregard of locational issues and the consequences of adopting a particular spatial pattern of healthcare service delivery. Findings revealed that 34.35% of the respondents travelled less than 1km before accessing the hospitals and clinics of their choice, while only about 11% of the patients travelled far distances from their places of residence; covering over 4km before accessing the health facility of their choice. The research sought to proffer recommendations such as the strict adherence to established standards, ideal for minimum distances to health facilities and the proper consideration of health needs of the population when future provision for health facilities is embarked on.