Exploring Two Solution Methods for the Two-Stage Location-Activation Problem

This study highlights the importance of medical logistics research during crises that might stress the system. We formulated a practical problem statement for the organizational structure of the medical logistics system, which has three types of centers: regional, subregional, and distribution. We also proposed a mathematical model for the two-stage location-activation problem, which minimizes the costs of operation, delivery, location, and activation. For the proposed mathematical model, two solution approaches are presented. The first approach divides the process into two steps: locate the distribution centers by solving the continuous problem and then use the obtained coordinates to solve the second (discrete) part. The second approach is a combined solution technique combining continuous and discrete parts using full information during the algorithm's execution. Both can be used to solve the problem, the first is simpler and has a lower time complexity, and the second uses more information but has higher time complexity.