Improving Healthcare Access Through Road Connectivity: A Case Study Of Reasi District

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of road connectivity on healthcare services within Block Bomag, District Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir, with a specific focus on the Dangakote and Charalakote Panchayats. The study is based on primary data collected from 100 respondents, the research employs a robust econometric framework comprising Fixed Effects (FE), Logistic Regression, and Difference-in-Differences (DiD) models to examine the relationship between improved road infrastructure and key healthcare outcomes. The findings reveal a statistically significant positive correlation between enhanced road connectivity and improvements in medical staff availability, ambulance service accessibility, and overall healthcare service utilization. Notably, the interaction term analysis within the FE and DiD models underscores the transformative effect of road infrastructure development on healthcare delivery, particularly within rural settings. The study emphasizes the critical importance of not only establishing but also maintaining road infrastructure, ensuring the equitable distribution of these improvements, and strategically integrating road connectivity considerations into national and regional healthcare policy frameworks. Ultimately, these findings offer valuable, evidence-based insights for policymakers seeking to optimize healthcare access and service efficiency in underserved regions.