Abstract

GIS-based Spatial Analysis of Health Facilities in Yola, Nigeria
Track: Health and Human Services
Authors: Abdurrahman Ismaila, Nurunnisa Usul

Public policy on health care provision in Nigeria over the years addresses the distribution and spatial equity question at regional levels but neglected the analysis of distribution of such facilities within cities. This is not adequate because it does not reveal actual areas of need and physical accessibility within the city. The GIS method may produce a better prospect of accessibility in the city in order to sharpen areas of need hitherto hidden by the current method of measurement. Based on GIS using three accessibility models i) distance to health facilities ii) health facility to population ratio iii) physician to population ratios; the paper revealed existing gross inadequacies in health facilities and physicians. This was not revealed prior to using GIS analysis. The study recommends the need for an urgent improvement of health care delivery and the adoption of GIS technology by health care planners and policy makers in Yola.