A GIS approach to plan and deliver healthcare services to urban poor: A public private partnership model for Ahmedabad City, India
International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing
ISSN: 1750-6123
Article publication date: 3 July 2007
Abstract
Purpose
To provide a public private partnership (PPP) model for urban health centres (UHC) in developing countries that can be useful for urban local governments and private service providers willing to enter into meaningful partnerships so as to improve primary healthcare services.
Design/methodology/approach
This research is based on geographical information system methodology to identify suitable locations to address availability, access, affordability and equity concerns and to provide a practical framework for PPP for establishing UHC. The methodology involved survey and mapping of slum communities and private healthcare facilities.
Findings
The research provides intricate details about planning healthcare services for urban poor, operational and managerial aspects of service provision and processes involved in PPP for urban health.
Research limitations/implications
The model is developed and tested for Ahmedabad city (sixth largest city in India) and may need a certain amount of customisation for application in other cities.
Practical implications
The outcome of the research is a working model based on a set of legal documents (memorandum of understanding) signed by all the PPP stakeholders. This model is useful for planning and managing similar healthcare facilities in other cities with adequate context‐specific modifications given the increasing importance of urban health.
Originality/value
While a range of published work provides theoretical frameworks for PPPs in general and for urban health in particular, our model has field‐tested all the steps for establishing a PPP model for solving urban health problems. The proposed UHC will start functioning in its new premises soon.
Keywords
Citation
Ramani, K.V., Mavalankar, D., Patel, A. and Mehandiratta, S. (2007), "A GIS approach to plan and deliver healthcare services to urban poor: A public private partnership model for Ahmedabad City, India", International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, Vol. 1 No. 2, pp. 159-173. https://doi.org/10.1108/17506120710763004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited