Spatial analysis and modelling for primary healthcare site selection in Midnapore town, West Bengal

• Published in: GeoJournal 2022-12, Vol.87 (6), p.4807-4836
• Main Authors: Dutta, Bikash, Das, Manas, Roy, Utpal, Das, Sutapa, Rath, Sutapa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Analytic hierarchy process; Appropriateness; Criteria; Distribution; Distribution patterns; Environmental conditions; Environmental Management; Evaluation; Geographical information systems; Geography; Health care; Health care facilities; Health disparities; Health facilities; Health services; Hierarchies; Hospitals; Human Geography; Infrastructure; Morphology; Open spaces; Primary care; Prototypes; Site selection; Social Sciences; Spatial analysis; Spatial distribution; Suitability; Urban populations
• ISSN: 0343-2521; 1572-9893
• DOI: 10.1007/s10708-021-10528-w

Unprecedented and chaotic growth of cities results in reducing open spaces and water bodies, worsening infrastructure facilities and changes in ecological morphology. This unregulated growth of the urban population led to uneven distribution of urban amenities, facilities and healthcare services. Considering this, the study aimed to draw attention to the existing spatial pattern of healthcare facility centres as well as to find out the possible sites for the provision of healthcare facility centres in the municipal ward (micro-scale) of Midnapore town. This prototype study was conducted using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) evaluation model based on various criteria through Arc GIS environment. The findings indicate that the spatial distribution patterns of existing public healthcare centres were significantly dispersed. Weights based on a set of criteria were calculated by AHP and OLS algorithm and generated suitability evaluation maps classified from 1 (poor suitable) to 4 (most suitable). According to the employed criteria in this study unveil those existing hospitals and primary healthcare centres have not been located in the appropriate locations. The model is found to be valid for the given study area and there is no significant difference between AHP and OLS results. Further, it can be used for preparing the suitability map for the other areas with similar geo-environmental conditions for the proviso of healthcare services as well as will be most effective in preventing disease progression and reducing healthcare inequality on a large scale.