Assessment of Emergency Services Accessibility to Universities – A Case Study of Islamabad Pakistan

Convenient and timely access to healthcare and emergency services is crucial for fostering a healthy community and societal well-being. Educational institutions, both worldwide and particularly in developing countries, frequently encounter unforeseen circumstances that necessitate rapid access to emergency services within their vicinity. However, in larger cities with extensive urban sprawl, universities encounter challenges in accessing healthcare facilities. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the accessibility of emergency-care services to universities in the capital city of Islamabad, Pakistan. The research adopts the gravity model as a framework for assessing accessibility, employing travel time as the primary dependent variable, with data obtained from Google-Map services. The accessibility of emergency care services to universities is computed using various travel time threshold values. The study's findings indicate that universities located in the central area of Islamabad exhibit higher accessibility compared to those situated in the periphery. These results highlight an imbalanced spatial distribution of emergency care services in relation to universities within Zone-1 of Islamabad, emphasizing the need for additional measures. The study holds significant implications for decision-makers, enabling them to identify areas with limited accessibility to emergency services and facilitate the establishment of new or relocated emergency care services to ensure compliance with the minimum required response time. Furthermore, universities are encouraged to integrate the findings into their emergency plans, enhancing their preparedness and response strategies.