Rural Road Infrastructural Challenges: An Impediment to Health Care Service Delivery in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

In spite of the diverse rural development policy programmes designed address improvement in the condition of rural dwellers in Nigeria, the health needs of many of the rural environment are still being hindered due to inadequacy of rural road transport infrastructures. This situation has put the health of the rural dwellers in jeopardy and invariably makes them vulnerable to curable health challenges with known solutions in tertiary health centres in urban areas. Transport infrastructural challenges have made it relatively difficult encourage the required medical and health personnel to be attracted to working the rural areas of the country. The above situation is responsible for the untold hardship rural dwellers are facing in accessing appropriate healthcare. This study examined the rural road transport infrastructural challenges as an impediment to health care service delivery in Akutupa-Kiri village of Kabba Bunu Local Government area of Kogi State. The study was carried out through structured questionnaire and reconnaissance survey to ascertain the situation. The data were presented using descriptive analytical method. Findings revealed that road transport infrastructures is required to support qualitative health care delivery as poor road network and high transport cost has been found to be responsible for problematic access to medical treatment. The poor transport infrastructures and epileptic nature of transport infrastructure situation compounded health workers ability in the handling of health emergencies in the rural areas. The above situation has negatively impacted on health care delivery in the area. The study recommended construction of motorable roads with adequate infrastructures and creation of Agency or Board that could monitor rural infrastructures particularly transport infrastructures to facilitate easy movement and accentuate healthcare delivery in the area on a positive note.