Benue State University, Makurdi

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN BENUE STATE: EVIDENCE FROM OBI AND USHONGO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

SOKPO, Joseph Tarza

Abstract

This study investigated the critical issues that surround access to needed healthcare services in Benue State. . A total of 1019 households were surveyed using a cluster survey method to collect data on socioeconomic and health-service- related information from Obi and Ushongo LGAs. Descriptive methods such as frequencies, percentages and averages were used at various stages in the analysis of data. The findings of the study among others were high cost of health services limiting access; absence of qualified medical personnel; low patronage of rural health centres; and poor outcome of healthcare services. The study recommends among others a review of the National Health Policy on Financing with particular reference to user fees that limits access to healthcare by the poor households.

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