The distribution of healthcare facilities in two cities in Bangladesh
Abstract
Background: Rapid urbanization in the global south is characterized by increased population density and changing healthcare needs. Comprehensive information on the supply of healthcare services and their distribution across... [ view full abstract ]
Background: Rapid urbanization in the global south is characterized by increased population density and changing healthcare needs. Comprehensive information on the supply of healthcare services and their distribution across the urban landscape is needed to better plan for and respond to the needs of expanding urban populations.
Objectives: This paper aims to investigate the density of health care facilities and their geographic distribution pattern to identify gaps in service coverage in urban Bangladesh.
Methods: Data was collected between May 2014 and December 2014 in Rajshahi and Naraynganj City Corporations. Naryanganj is an industrial city very close to the capital of Bangladesh whereas Rajshahi is an old city in the north of the country. Health facilities including Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic Centres, Delivery Centres, Urban Dispensaries, Blood banks, and Doctor’s Chambers of the two cities were identified and geo-located using GPS, and a survey conducted to gather basic facility information. The prevalence and spatial distribution of different health services in public, private and NGO sectors was quantified and mapped in order to identify the distribution of health services and coverage gaps.
Findings: In Naraynaganj, though there were 8.5 facilities per 10,000 population, facilities were largely concentrated in the central-southern and north-western part of the city. With 11 facilities per 10,000 population, a similar pattern was found in Rajshahi where a higher density of health facilities was observed around the central-southern part of the city. Observed healthcare coverage disparities are particularly evident around poor urban settlements, where access to static facilities is particularly limited.
Conclusion: In two different urban settings of Bangladesh a similar pattern of uneven distribution of healthcare facilities was evident. These findings will help to identify the gap of urban facilities’ coverage that could contribute to making evidence-based planning for ensuring better availability and access to urban health services.
Authors
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Shaikh Mehdi Hasan
(International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B))
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Shakil Ahmed
(International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B))
Topic Area
V. Healthcare Service 5.1 Accessibility of healthcare services and its optimization 5.2 He
Session
PS-3 » POSTER SESSION 3 (12:15 - Sunday, 3rd April, TBA)
Paper
The_distribution_of_healthcare_facilities_in_two_cities_in_Bangladesh_Hasan.docx
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