Leveraging Gis for Strategic Healthcare Facilities’ Site Selection: a Case Study of Laikipia County.

Abstract

Equitable healthcare access remains a challenge in many regions, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This research project investigates the potential of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to address this challenge by developing a data-driven framework for strategic healthcare facilities site selection in Laikipia County, Kenya. This research project used GIS to revolutionize healthcare facility site selection in Laikipia County, Kenya. Aligned with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the study addresses the challenge of healthcare accessibility by proposing a data-driven framework. Laikipia County, characterized by diverse weather patterns and economic activities, experiences significant disparities in healthcare services, with many remote residents facing long travel times and financial constraints. Traditional site selection methods often lack precision, highlighting the need for GIS to optimize decision-making. The study employed Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) within a GIS environment to identify optimal healthcare facility locations, considering population density, existing health facilities, land cover, land use, and accessibility. This approach aligns with BETA's objectives and offers a scalable model for evidence-based healthcare facility site selection, promising to transform healthcare accessibility in Laikipia County and serving as a benchmark for similar challenges nationwide. The research revealed significant disparities in healthcare accessibility across Laikipia County with the Northern part having the lowest number of health facilities. The MCDA framework identified fourteen critically underserved areas most of which are in the Northern and the Eastern parts where new healthcare facilities would have the greatest impact, emphasizing the importance of integrating population density and accessibility factors. This precise GIS mapping highlights where new facilities can reduce travel times and improve access. This GIS-centric approach promises to transform healthcare accessibility in Laikipia County and can serve as a benchmark nationwide. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a data-driven, technologically advanced methodology in addressing healthcare disparities, aligning with national development goals and showcasing the power of technology-driven strategies for inclusive healthcare systems. The significance of this research lies in its potential to provide a robust, replicable methodology for healthcare facility site selection, addressing existing disparities, and contributing to the global discourse on equitable healthcare access. The proposed GIS framework aligns with national development goals and underscores the power of technology-driven strategies in fostering inclusive and accessible healthcare systems.