Hospital location problem using multi objective model with considering equity criteria: A case study

Today, one of the most important issues in location of hospitals is to consider the equity. The purpose of this research was to provide a multi-objective model for fair location of hospitals that also considers the cost considerations, and used for construction of hospitals in the future.
This was an analytical-descriptive study conducted in Rasht to determine the best locations for construction of hospitals with respect to criteria of equity. For this purpose, after reviewing past studies, a three-objective model consist of p-median, p-envy and equitable loads objects was proposed, and the city of Rasht was analyzed by model using the real data. In order to achieve the results and comparisons, the total weighting technique from the multi-objective decision-making techniques was used and solved with GAMS 24.1.1 software.
This research would help the decision-makers to consider the criteria of equity, in addition to the costs, in the decision to select the best locations for construction of hospitals. The establishment of citizenship equity and increase in efficiency of hospitals along with cost considerations can be regarded as the major achievements of this research for decision-makers in the field of health.
In case of no respect to criteria of equity in location of hospitals, the results can be very unfair, leading to irreparable consequences. The case study indicated the desirable function of the proposed model in location of hospitals in Rasht with respect to the criteria of citizenship equity. The results of this research can be given to the managers as the proper basis for decision-making.