Improved access to quality hospitals and health care facilities is one of the major goals of the Philippines health care objectives. The LGUs were charged with the responsibility of providing and maintaining primary health care services to their respective constituents under the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC). Also the 2010 Aquino Health Agenda acknowledged LGUs as main implementers of the national health care policies and programs. Against this background, this study attempted to evaluate the spatial distribution of local health care facilities and resources in order to ensure equitable access to quality health care for all population groups in the Philippines; and to achieve the following objectives: a) Evaluate the performance of Malolos City in the provision of public health care services; b) Appraise the distribution of the city’s public health care resources and facilities; c) Make appropriate recommendations to enhance citizen’s equitable access to quality health care services in Malolos City.
This study used data from different stakeholders related to health care delivery as key informants, data on human resources for health and rural health care facilities. Likewise, population and spatial data such as Malolos City land use map, flood map, road classification and speed limits and other relevant data from the LGU were used. Different analytical methods and techniques were employed starting with qualitative analysis which was adopted to investigate the efforts and performance of the LGUin the provision of health care services; descriptive analysis showed the pattern of the city health care inputs and allocative efficiency; and spatial analysis using GIS techniques to analyze the location and coverage of rural health care units catchment areas, and travel time to reach RHU facilities.