Geospatial Mapping of Health Facilities in Yola, Nigeria

This paper investigates the spatial distribution of health facilities and their attribute information by creating a database and producing a visual map of these facilities in Yola town. Twelve facilities were mapped consisting of hospitals, clinics, maternities and dispensaries using handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and satellite imageries provided by Google Maps TM . Additional information comes from questionnaires issued to the facility management and that serves as attribute data for both the database and visual map. Both attribute and spatial data are linked in AutoCad and ArcGIS environments to allow querying of information. Results show that 12 health facilities exist, of which 10 are public and 2 are private. Although the facilities are fairly distributed, their standards differ and that ignores the pattern of distribution. We hereby used the population data of 1993 and 2006 and the World Health Organisation (WHO) criterion for location of new health facilities in developing countries to propose 2 new sites. It is suggested here that, only if the standards are improved and the proposed ones built that Yola town can have adequate health facilities to the standard of WHO. The database produced would undoubtedly assist in management, planning and fostering new directions to health administration. The visual map produced shows locations of health facilities, road linkages and capacity of each is also an important source of information on health matters. The visual map if provided to the public can reduce the risk of taking patients to wrong hospitals due to not having prior knowledge of their capacities or opening hours. The satellite and information technology therefore can provide ease in management of health facilities and planning for future.