Spatial Distribution and Accessibility to Healthcare Workforce in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the spatial distribution and accessibility to healthcare workforce in Niger State. The study became necessary due to the State's worrisome decline in several key health indicators. Secondary data were collected from Niger State Ministry of Health and National Population Commission. ArcGIS 10.4.1 software was used to produce various distribution maps of health workforce. According to the study, disparities in the distribution of healthcare workforce exist in Niger State with Niger East having better access to doctors, nurses/midwives and community health extension workers than Niger South and Niger North. Additionally, 53% of doctors work and reside in four local government areas of Chanchaga, Suleja, Tafa and Rafi in Niger East. Regarding the population ratio to the health workforce, Niger State lacks adequate doctors, nurses, and midwives, as it did not meet the average targets of the World Health Organization and Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the State has sufficient community health extension workers regarding the population ratio, which meets the national average target. The implication is that Niger North and Niger South are grossly underserved in terms of access to a healthcare workforce that will cater to their health needs compared to Niger East. The study recommends that more healthcare workers should be recruited and that the state and local governments should offer various incentives, including rotational services, the provision of suitable housing, transportation allowance, and performance bonuses, to encourage more healthcare workers to work in public hospitals in rural areas of the State.