Accessibility to Health Facilities and Life Expectancy in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State

Abstract

Healthcare access is undoubtedly one of the major factors that influence population health and life expectancy, especially in developing nations like Nigeria. Poor health access in rural areas is still constrained by the lack of access to quality health services due to factors such as lack of distribution of health facilities, poor road infrastructure, lack of qualified health-care workers, poverty and high out-of-pocket health-care expenditures. The study investigated the relationship between the accessibility of health facilities and life expectancy in Udenu LGA of Enugu state. The paper posits that better physical, financial and functional access to health care has a significant impact on the improvement of life expectancy as revealed by the evidence drawn from the previous studies conducted and the contextual analysis of the provision of health care in Enugu State which include early detection of diseases, effective treatment, maternal and child health care, immunisation and health promotion. The study also outlines the factors that limit utilization of health services and recommends potential policy interventions to enhance health outcomes in Udenu LGA. The results are part of ongoing research on health systems strengthening in rural Nigeria, and offer recommendations to policy makers interested in strengthening health systems and population life expectancy.