Urban Informal Settlement Residents' Access to Public Health Services in Dakar, Senegal: Barriers and Solutions

Urban informal settlements in Dakar, Senegal face significant challenges in accessing public health services due to geographical, socio-economic, and infrastructural barriers. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including a survey with structured questions targeting 500 respondents from various urban informal settlements in Dakar. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 key informants representing local government agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The findings reveal that the primary barrier to access is inadequate transportation infrastructure, which restricts residents' ability to reach health centers, affecting approximately 75% of survey respondents. Residents in urban informal settlements in Dakar face substantial challenges in accessing public health services due to geographical and infrastructural limitations. Understanding these barriers is critical for developing targeted interventions that enhance service delivery and improve community health outcomes. Immediate investment should be directed towards improving transportation infrastructure, particularly road networks connecting urban informal settlements to nearby health centers. Additionally, collaboration between government agencies and NGOs can facilitate more effective service provision and resource allocation.