SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

The provision of adequate basic healthcare services is becoming increasingly difficult due to rapid population growth and lack of available resources. One of the imperatives of healthcare provision is a concern for both social and spatial justice. This study examines the spatial distribution and accessibility of healthcare facilities in Niger State. Secondary data were collected from the Niger State Ministry of Health and the National Population Commission. ArcGIS 10.4.1 software was used to create distribution maps of healthcare facilities throughout the state. The results of the study indicated that healthcare facilities in Niger State were not evenly distributed across the state. Niger East had the most accessible healthcare facilities, followed by Niger South. Despite having a sufficient number of healthcare facilities that meet the minimum global average recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in-terms of population ratio, the distribution of these facilities per population ratio were also not evenly distributed across the State with Niger North having the least healthcare facilities per population ratio which needs to be addressed to meet the WHO-recommended threshold. Moreover, several local government areas, including Muya, Agwara, Mashegu, Edati, Gbako, and Katcha, had no secondary healthcare facilities, indicating that healthcare accessibility in Niger North and Niger South was significantly limited. The study highlights the need for more well-equipped general hospitals in currently inadequate areas and the provision of primary healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas throughout the State. Overall, the findings suggest that healthcare accessibility in Niger State is a critical issue that requires immediate attention.