Health policy and planning
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Topographical, cultural, socio-economic and developmental factors combine to create significant barriers to health services delivery in areas of Northern Nigeria, resulting in poor health outcomes in states such as Katsina. The Katsina State Ministry of Health has introduced a mobile clinic service to provide primary health care to particularly inaccessible communities. This study reports early evidence of beneficiary and provider perceptions of the service, and indicators of initial coverage. ⋯ Data indicate that while services are generally well-received there are clear opportunities for strengthening quality of service provision. Improved service supervision and monitoring-potentially linked to performance-based financing mechanisms-promise to raise general quality of care to that demonstrated as attainable in the best performing LGAs. Provider reports suggesting high levels of motivation are notable in a general healthcare work environment with high rates of absenteeism.