Political-Geographical Analysis of Kidney Failure in Kirkuk Governorate

Abstract

This study aims to provide a political-geographical analysis of kidney failure in Kirkuk Governorate by examining the spatial distribution of public and private treatment centers, assessing the spatial variation in the number of patients and the capacities of dialysis units, and analyzing the relationship between the health situation and the political-administrative structure of the governorate. The findings show that dialysis services are not randomly distributed; rather, they are concentrated in the city of Kirkuk, which contains the largest share of specialized medical centers, while southern and western areas such as Hawija and Riyadh suffer from limited services, forcing patients to travel long distances. The study relies on patient-visit data for 2023, which indicate a rise in demand for dialysis services to approximately 62,047 visits due to increased chronic cases and weak health oversight. The results reveal that the main factors influencing the concentration of cases include economic conditions, inadequate health services, disparities among administrative units, and political instability, which has affected the provision of treatment halls, beds, and medical equipment. The study also shows that the capacity of the centers is lower than what patients require, and that nursing staff remain insufficient in several units, especially in peripheral areas. The study recommends developing health infrastructure, improving staff efficiency, ensuring equitable service distribution, and adopting geographic information systems to monitor health changes and guide future governmental decisions.