Shortages and Inequalities in Geographic Distribution of Healthcare Workers in Katsina State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined shortages and geographical inequality in the distribution of healthcare workers in Katsina State.  The Gini index and Lorenz curve were used to analyze data on healthcare workers in the study area. This is with a view  to revealing the shortages of health workers or otherwise according to the criteria set by the World Health Organization  (WHO). Finally coefficient correlation and determinant were used to establish whether or not there is significant  association between population and distribution of healthcare facilities among the 34 Local Government Areas across  the state. The findings of the study revealed that inequality really exist in the distribution of healthcare staff within the  three zones of the state, the study confirmed that none of the three zones of the state has achieved the minimum  requirement as stipulated by the WHO for critical shortage of 2.5/1000 population. In addition to inadequacy of health  personnel in Nigeria and in Katsina State, there is a common understanding that this problem is more in Katsina state  and is further exacerbated by geographic distributional inequalities that are even more severe in rural areas. On the  other hand, the Lorenz curve has also depicted similar results as the curves are further away from the diagonal, which  means there is high variation in the distribution of health care workers in the State. Based on the study findings, it is  recommended that a more vigorous analysis should be carried out by the state ministry of health to ascertain the  number of healthcare facilities as well as the required number of healthcare workers with a view to establishing the  number of equipment available and facilities which may require upgrade for effectiveness. The actual access levels  individuals and communities have to the health care facilities in Katsina State needs to be ascertained. Besides, the  government should adopt population threshold as a yardstick for health care facility distribution as this is the only  approach to ensure equality and social justice in distribution of health care workers and other basic facilities.