Barriers to Maternal Health Care Accessibility and Its Causal Determinants in Faisalabad, Pakistan: A Geospatial Assessment

Access to maternal healthcare is a critical determinant of maternal and neonatal health outcomes, yet it remains a neglected issue in many developing regions, including Pakistan. This study investigates the spatial distribution and accessibility of maternal healthcare facilities in Faisalabad District using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques, including point distance analysis and multiple ring buffer analysis. A total of 230 female respondents from six tehsils were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, with data gathered from two major public hospitals in the district. There are 155 Basic Health Units (BHUs) operating within Faisalabad District. 45.2% of respondents reported good accessibility to maternal health facilities, while 43% reported bad and 11.7% worse access. The highest concentration of cases (78 respondents) was within 6–10 km of a health facility. The findings reveal significant spatial disparities in access to healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and peripheral areas such as Tandlianwala, Chak Jhumra, and Samundri. Many women reside more than 20 kilometers from the nearest well-equipped hospital, and road conditions—ranging from poor to non-existent—further limit physical accessibility. The multiple ring buffer analysis demonstrates that several remote settlements fall outside the 12-mile buffer, indicating critical service gaps. Additionally, economic constraints and lack of public transportation exacerbate the situation, limiting women's ability to seek timely antenatal care. The overcrowding of urban public hospitals and the high cost and low quality of private healthcare further restrict options for low-income groups. The study underscores the urgent need for decentralized planning, infrastructure improvement, and equitable distribution of maternal health services, especially in underserved rural regions.