{"title":"A Hybrid Fuzzy AHP-Fuzzy TOPSIS and GIS-Based Framework for Mobile Clinic Location Selection in Conflict Zones: A Case Study From Northern Syria.","authors":"Jamil Hallak, Palash Kamruzzaman, Sakire Nesli Demircioglu","doi":"10.1002/hpm.70141","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Providing healthcare services in conflict-affected regions like northern Syria is a significant challenge due to ongoing conflict and massive displacement. Mobile clinics offer a flexible solution to meet the urgent healthcare needs of displaced communities. This study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for the optimal location selection of mobile clinics, integrating fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and multi-scenario planning. We conducted surveys with 37 medical NGOs actively engaged in the Syrian health sector to identify key criteria for mobile clinic locations. Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP), we weighted these criteria based on their importance. Spatial analysis with GIS provided a visual assessment of each potential location against these criteria, creating risk maps to guide decision-making. We applied the fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to evaluate and rank 51 candidate locations. Additionally, multi-scenario planning was employed to assess the performance of these locations under four potential conditions: current/continued instability (S1), conflict escalation (S2), flood risk (S3), and post-conflict recovery (S4). The results highlight strategic locations for mobile clinics, providing actionable insights for health authorities, NGOs, and donors. This framework offers a data-driven, adaptable solution for healthcare delivery in crisis zones, enhancing the strategic planning capabilities of humanitarian organisations.</p>","PeriodicalId":47637,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Health Planning and Management","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Health Planning and Management","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.70141","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"HEALTH POLICY & SERVICES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Providing healthcare services in conflict-affected regions like northern Syria is a significant challenge due to ongoing conflict and massive displacement. Mobile clinics offer a flexible solution to meet the urgent healthcare needs of displaced communities. This study aims to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework for the optimal location selection of mobile clinics, integrating fuzzy multi-criteria decision-making approaches, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and multi-scenario planning. We conducted surveys with 37 medical NGOs actively engaged in the Syrian health sector to identify key criteria for mobile clinic locations. Using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (F-AHP), we weighted these criteria based on their importance. Spatial analysis with GIS provided a visual assessment of each potential location against these criteria, creating risk maps to guide decision-making. We applied the fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) to evaluate and rank 51 candidate locations. Additionally, multi-scenario planning was employed to assess the performance of these locations under four potential conditions: current/continued instability (S1), conflict escalation (S2), flood risk (S3), and post-conflict recovery (S4). The results highlight strategic locations for mobile clinics, providing actionable insights for health authorities, NGOs, and donors. This framework offers a data-driven, adaptable solution for healthcare delivery in crisis zones, enhancing the strategic planning capabilities of humanitarian organisations.
由于持续的冲突和大规模流离失所，在叙利亚北部等受冲突影响的地区提供医疗服务是一项重大挑战。流动诊所提供了一种灵活的解决方案，以满足流离失所社区的紧急医疗保健需求。本研究旨在结合模糊多准则决策方法、地理资讯系统（GIS）与多场景规划，建立流动诊所最佳选址的综合评估框架。我们对积极参与叙利亚卫生部门的37个医疗非政府组织进行了调查，以确定流动诊所地点的关键标准。采用模糊层次分析法（F-AHP），根据其重要性对这些标准进行加权。利用地理信息系统进行空间分析，根据这些标准对每个潜在地点进行可视化评估，创建风险地图以指导决策。我们运用模糊的TOPSIS （Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution）对51个候选地点进行评价和排序。此外，采用多情景规划来评估这些地点在四种潜在条件下的表现：当前/持续不稳定（S1）、冲突升级（S2）、洪水风险（S3）和冲突后恢复（S4）。结果突出了流动诊所的战略位置，为卫生当局、非政府组织和捐助者提供了可行的见解。该框架为危机地区的医疗保健服务提供了数据驱动、适应性强的解决方案，增强了人道主义组织的战略规划能力。
期刊介绍：
Policy making and implementation, planning and management are widely recognized as central to effective health systems and services and to better health. Globalization, and the economic circumstances facing groups of countries worldwide, meanwhile present a great challenge for health planning and management. The aim of this quarterly journal is to offer a forum for publications which direct attention to major issues in health policy, planning and management. The intention is to maintain a balance between theory and practice, from a variety of disciplines, fields and perspectives. The Journal is explicitly international and multidisciplinary in scope and appeal: articles about policy, planning and management in countries at various stages of political, social, cultural and economic development are welcomed, as are those directed at the different levels (national, regional, local) of the health sector. Manuscripts are invited from a spectrum of different disciplines e.g., (the social sciences, management and medicine) as long as they advance our knowledge and understanding of the health sector. The Journal is therefore global, and eclectic.
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