Applications of GIS in Healthcare Planning of Lao PDR

摘要

Potential and capabilities of GIS in planning anddecision-making is widely known as an experimental tool, butits existence in real-world application is yet to realize. GISoriginated in the field of cartography and even at today it ismainly used as a tool for map production. Number of reasonscould bring forward for this shortcoming. Limited real-worldapplications could be a significant one among them.This paper describe an attempt to use GIS technology in LaoPDR where a study team was involved in formulating a MasterPlan for national healthcare system. A database was createdfor the whole country with spatial and descriptive data gatheredfrom various sources. Attempt was made to demonstrate thepotential of GIS by using the database for identifyinghealthcare status, distribution of resources, recognizingdeprived areas and locating areas for future investments basedon accessibility and social status. The approach justified theinvestment on a GIS system and introducing the system in theplanning sector from grass-root level to central level.