Logistics network design for a sustainable blood supply chain under disasters using a simulation approach

Abstract

Natural disasters, including earthquakes and floods, can cause substantial damage to public and private infrastructures, highlighting the necessity for resilient healthcare systems. Here, reliable distribution of blood products is vital as disruptions can severely impact patient care. However, blood supply chains (BSCs) face intricate challenges under disasters due to abrupt, drastic spikes in demand. Thus, identifying the optimal locations for the blood collection centres is essential to maintain a constant supply of these products to hospitals while minimising the overall cost of the chain. Meanwhile, carbon emissions of the BSC can also be a side concern for the decision-makers, especially in crowded and polluted cities. This study develops an agent-based simulation approach to configure the collection facilities and allocate them to demand points while considering mobile centres in addition to permanent ones. A real case is assessed, revealing cost-attractive scenarios that, if chosen, could cause a 25% increase in emissions.