Mapping Health Service Gaps in West Bandung Regency: Evidence from Sub-district Data and Implications for Regional Planning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62503/sfr.1.2.92-117Keywords:
Health Facilities, Health Workforce, Spatial Equity, Health Services, Needs-Based Planning, Kabupaten Bandung BaratAbstract
Demographic and geographical differences between sub-districts can lead to unequal health service provision and lower the quality of health care. This study maps health service gaps in West Bandung Regency by examining how health facilities and health workers are distributed across its 16 sub-districts. It also identifies the challenges and policy responses the local government has set out on health service equity. We used a descriptive design that combines quantitative and document analysis. Using sub-district data from regional statistics, we compared population, population density, health facilities, and health workers. We also reviewed the West Bandung Regency Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) 2025–2029 and Minister of Health Regulation Number 6 of 2024 on Technical Standards for Fulfilling Minimum Service Standards in Health. The data show wide gaps between sub-districts. Sub-districts with larger populations do not always have a matching share of health facilities and health workers. The population-to-health-center and population-to-health-worker ratios also show a wide range, which means some sub-districts carry a heavier potential service burden than others. The policy documents show that the local government recognizes four challenges: uneven service distribution, geographical barriers, shortages of facilities and health workers, and social factors that affect service quality. In response, the government plans to build health facilities, strengthen the health workforce, improve primary health care, and expand community health programs. By combining distribution data with policy analysis, this study provides an initial map of health service equity and a basis for needs-based regional health planning.
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