Integration between spatial analysis with MCDA for best site selection of hospitals: A case study of Port Said Governorate, Egypt

The recognition and prioritization of hospital locations plays an important role in shaping the healthcare framework of any nation. The process of selecting suitable sites is an intricate, multi-faceted decision-making endeavor involving various stakeholders with their unique interests. The main objective of this study is to ascertain the most appropriate approach for the selection of the best location for the new hospital. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) presents a promising solution due to the multitude of criteria integral to the decision-making process. Accordingly, the current research focuses on four criteria (population density, proximity to road, distance to existing hospitals, and slope). This study employs three MCDA techniques, namely, analytical hierarchy process (AHP), fuzzy AHP (FAHP), and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Additionally, MCDA techniques utilizing geographical information systems (GIS), applied to Port Said Governorate, Egypt, are introduced. The results obtained through the application of AHP, FAHP, and TOPSIS are carefully compared, encompassing criterion rankings and suggested hospital site locations. These results indicate that AHP, FAHP, and TOPSIS give the same result for the best site selection for the new hospital in the study area. The results of this study provide decision-makers and urban planners vital information that makes it easier to pinpoint the best site location for a new hospital.