Measuring the Accessibility and Capacity Sufficiency of Private and Public Health Centers in the Istanbul Metropolitan Area

The study of access to health centers is gaining global attention due to it is critical role in ensuring equitable and easily accessible healthcare services for all citizens, leading to long-term social equity and an improved quality of life. This paper aims to assess the efficiency of healthcare facility locations in Istanbul from two perspectives: accessibility of healthcare facilities and sufficiency of healthcare capacity. The analysis of accessibility considers the geographic locations of health services, the road network, and traffic conditions, particularly during two peak travel times in Istanbul. The evaluation of healthcare capacity utilizes the ratio of the number of beds to the population in each district. According to the findings, while the majority of the population has reasonable access to the nearest hospital, there exists a significant disparity in hospital location and bed availability in Istanbul. This indicates notable challenges in achieving a balanced distribution of hospitals based on their bed capacity. Addressing this imbalance is crucial in selecting suitable locations for new health facilities. To enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of public and private hospitals, decisions regarding site selection should aim to mutually support one another. Additionally, it is recommended to plan new healthcare facilities based on the population and density distribution of the city to increase public interest and optimize the efficiency of health services.