Identification and Prioritization of Risk Factors in Healthcare Supply Chain Using an Integrated Fuzzy-Delphi and Fuzzy-TOPSIS Method

The healthcare supply chain has many challenges that prevent access to critical medical supplies, particularly in a crisis and global uncertainty. The most significant risks must be identified and prioritized to cope with the healthcare supply chain management. This study applies integrated multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) method to identify and prioritize critical risks in healthcare supply chain management based on literature review and the healthcare specialists’ feedback and advice. Among multiple risk factors, ten major risk factors were identified using a Fuzzy-Delphi method. Subsequently, a Fuzzy-TOPSIS approach was used to prioritize these risks, providing a structured and robust decision-making process. The results indicate that Supply Chain Disruptions, demand uncertainty, Pandemic Crisis are the most important risks. The paper focuses on identifying and prioritizing key risks but does not extend to specific mitigation measures. Analyzing the most sensitive risk factors, this study helps to strengthen the risk management techniques, hence leading to enhanced resilience of healthcare delivery systems. The results offer practical implications for healthcare organizations to avoid and mitigate various risks that affect the sustainable and resilient supply chain. These findings can help policymakers and healthcare leaders deepen their understanding of risk environments to improve risk management and supply chain efficiencies, and ultimately ensure better patient care outcomes for the region, as well as globally.