SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNMENT OWNED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES USING GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (G.I.S) APPROACH IN BIRNIN KEBBI AND GWANDU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KEBBI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract The equitable distribution of health care facilities is essential for improving access to quality health services and promoting sustainable community development. However, disparities in the spatial distribution of government-owned health care facilities often result in unequal access to health services, particularly in developing regions. This study assessed the spatial distribution of government-owned health care facilities in Birnin Kebbi and Gwandu Local Government Areas of Kebbi State, Nigeria, using a Geographic Information System (GIS) approach. The study aimed to identify the locations of existing government health care facilities, examine their spatial distribution pattern, evaluate the accessibility of these facilities to the population, and determine areas that are underserved. Primary data were obtained through field surveys using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to capture the geographic coordinates of health care facilities, while secondary data were collected from the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, relevant government agencies, and existing maps. The collected data were processed and analyzed using ArcGIS software. Spatial analytical techniques, including mapping, buffer analysis, nearest neighbour analysis, and network analysis, were employed to evaluate the distribution and accessibility of the health care facilities. The findings revealed that government-owned health care facilities are unevenly distributed across the study area, with a higher concentration of facilities in urban centres, particularly within Birnin Kebbi, while many rural communities in Gwandu Local Government Area have limited access to health services due to greater travel distances and inadequate facility coverage. The GIS-generated maps identified several underserved settlements where residents travel considerable distances to access basic health care services. The study concludes that although government health care facilities exist in both Local Government Areas, their spatial distribution does not adequately correspond to population distribution and health care needs. The study recommends the establishment of additional primary health care centres in underserved rural communities, the adoption of GIS as a planning and decision-support tool for health facility allocation, periodic updating of spatial health databases, and increased government investment in health infrastructure to ensure equitable access to health care services.