Abstract
Growing populations, an aging workforce, and the rise of chronic diseases are driving up the
demand for healthcare services. Health has been equated with wealth because a healthy man
is regarded as a wealthy man due to lack of infirmities. Access to primary healthcare facilities
(PHFs) in Keffi Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State, just like in other parts of
Nigeria, has become a big challenge. An attempt to address the challenges in the distribution
of Healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Keffi requires the use of Geospatial technology (Geographic
Information Systems - GIS) hence, this study. The aim of this research is to analyze the spatial
distribution, challenges and strategies to improve HCFs utilization in Keffi LGA. Using Global
Positioning System (GPS) handheld receiver to Geo-tag the identified HCFs in Keffi LGA
across the 10 wards. HCFs records (name, latitude, longitude, attribute information) were
stored in a database created using ArcCatalog (ArcGIS) while ArcMap GIS Modeling software
was used to map the spatial distribution. Strategies to improve on healthcare delivery were
obtained from 200 copies of questionnaires randomly distributed using purposive sampling
technique to adult population made up of Healthcare workers and patients patronizing the
various HCFs in keffi LGA. The study shows that out of the 22 identified PHCs, 17 are
government owned, while the remainder 5 are privately owned; with high concentrations of
the HCFs in urban Keffi. Out of the 200 respondents sampled, the males respondents were 102
(51%) and females make up the remaining 98 (49%). The study confirms that Healthcare
delivery faces numerous challenges, including workforce shortages, increasing demand,
inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and the need to address health equity issues.
These challenges are further complicated by issues like patient safety, cyber-security, and the
rapid evolution of healthcare technologies. The major strategies to improve healthcare
utilization in Keffi LGA include employing well trained workers especially medical doctors and
professional nurses while more drugs as well as hospital equipment and infrastructure should
be made available to the people. In addition, the various HCFs should endeavour to always
keep the environment clean through regular sanitation, repair faulty fans and Air conditioners
(ACs). It is hoped that with the above strategies, accessibility to, and utilization of, healthcare
facilities in the study area will be improved.