Healthcare Supply Chain Disruption Risks

Abstract

The healthcare sector stands as a cornerstone of every nation’s economy, while playing a vital role in fostering the health and wellbeing of populations. Numerous studies have addressed the effective management of healthcare supply chains to ensure optimal healthcare provision. Implementing efficient strategies not only reduces costs but also enhances quality, efficiency, and adaptability. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed significant shortcomings in Healthcare Supply Chain (HSC) risk management strategies. This pandemic has shown that the HSC was unprepared for such disruption and that the traditional supply chain risk strategies followed are restrictive in tackling long-term global pandemic disruptions. To contribute to the current research on this topic, we introduce a framework that identifies and comprehends disruption risks, their origins, and impacts. Through a thorough literature review and interviews with HSC specialists, risks are identified and prioritized using Bayesian Belief Networks (BBN). The findings of this study seek to provide HSC decision-makers with valuable insights into the primary risks associated with HSC disruptions, paving the way for the development of effective mitigation strategies.