Spatial Distribution of Primary Government Healthcare Centers in Hail City Using Geographic Information Systems

Abstract

This study aims to identify the spatial distribution of primary government healthcare centres in Hail City and analyse the accessibility to these centres. The research seeks to understand the pattern of distribution of healthcare services using spatial analysis tools, evaluating whether the locations can serve a larger number of service seekers or those within their basic service range. The study also investigates the ease of access to healthcare services, considering spatial access as a crucial factor in human health.The primary objective is to uncover the current situation of government primary healthcare centres in Hail City, assessing the existing conditions and proposing appropriate alternatives to achieve maximum fairness and social justice in accessing government healthcare facilities in the city. The study reveals some results, including a deficiency in the spatial distribution of primary healthcare services and variations in accessibility to healthcare centres in Hail City.The primary healthcare centres are distributed among the city's municipalities as follows: 15% in the north (3 centres), 70% in the central area (14 centres), and 15% in the south (3 centres). The central neighbourhoods exhibit higher accessibility points than the rest of the city, while most neighbourhoods lacking access to healthcare centres are situated in the city's peripheral areas.The findings can assist local health planners in improving spatial equality in accessing healthcare centres by prioritizing services for neighbourhoods with lower accessibility when allocating future healthcare centres in Hail City.