2902. Enhancing healthcare access in refugee camps of the Gambella Region, Ethiopia
Invited abstract in session MC-23: OR for a Better Africa - OR@Africa 1, stream OR for Societal Development.
Monday, 12:30-14:00Room: Esther Simpson 3.01
Authors (first author is the speaker)
| 1. | Laura Davila-Pena
|
| University of Santiago de Compostela | |
| 2. | Maria Paola Scaparra
|
| Kent Business School, University of Kent | |
| 3. | Mahdi Shavarani
|
| Kent Business School | |
| 4. | Fabio Manenti
|
| Project Department, Doctors with Africa CUAMM |
Abstract
The Gambella Region in western Ethiopia hosts over 350,000 South Sudanese refugees across seven camps and settlements. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), such as Doctors with Africa CUAMM, work to strengthen the health system, focusing on infrastructure and workforce planning to improve accessibility, equity, and quality of care. In collaboration with CUAMM, we develop a location-allocation model that captures the multi-service, hierarchical structure of healthcare provision in refugee camps. The proposed multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model optimally locates health posts and health centers. It also allocates essential services (e.g., basic and maternal care) and workforce (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, and midwives), promoting an equitable distribution of resources. By analyzing different scenarios, we provide decision-support tools to help CUAMM advocate for donor funding—both for establishing new health facilities and expanding workforce capacity.
Keywords
- Developing Countries
- Health Care
- Location
Status: accepted
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