Patna: Nearly four in every 10 Patna residents believe the city does not have enough hospitals, while even more are dissatisfied with the availability of hospital beds, according to a recent study conducted by the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB).The study, conducted jointly by CUSB geography department head Kiran Kumari and research scholar Akash Kumar, has identified four potential priority zones for setting up new public healthcare centres, with particular focus on underserved areas and the city’s expanding outskirts. The researchers said Patna needs more healthcare facilities to meet the needs of its growing population, especially in underserved areas.Published in the international journal Discover Public Health, the research, titled “Mapping spatial and socioeconomic disparities in public healthcare accessibility in Patna City,” is based on surveys of 384 respondents across six administrative areas. The journal is indexed in Scopus (Q4) and the Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) of Web of Science. The study found that the presence of hospitals does not guarantee easy access to healthcare.The researchers found that people living far from hospitals were less likely to use public healthcare services, while better availability encouraged greater use. Income also influenced satisfaction with healthcare services.Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), statistical analysis and socioeconomic surveys, the researchers mapped hospital locations against road networks, population density and land availability to identify areas where existing facilities may not adequately serve residents.Using GIS and statistical analysis, the researchers identified four potential priority zones around Ward Nos. 13–14, 20–23, 27 and 35–36. The analysis considered population density (29%), distance from healthcare centres (27%), underserved areas (22%), road connectivity (14%) and land availability (8%).The researchers suggested giving priority to areas on the city’s outskirts that lack adequate healthcare facilities. They also called for better transport and more awareness of govt health schemes. However, they said the proposed sites are only suggestions and need further assessment before new facilities are set up.Kumari said the study sought to understand the difficulties people face in accessing public healthcare and provide evidence-based inputs for policymakers. Akash Kumar said combining GIS with socioeconomic data could help reduce inequalities and support more effective urban health planning.
