Abstract:
The efficient management of the plasma supply chain network is a critical component of
ensuring the availability of safe and healthy plasma units for transfusion. Plasma is an
essential lifesaving component of blood and therefore plasma supply chain optimization
plays a critical role in minimizing plasma waste and shortages at the time of need. In this
research, a multi-objective linear programming (MOLP) model is developed for optimizing
centralized plasma supply chain network design. The multifaceted challenges of network
design are addressed by focusing on three key objectives: operational cost minimization,
RFID-enabled traceability for healthy plasma units transfused, and the prioritization of
blood type compatibility in plasma transfusion. Two-fold methodology has been employed
for this study. Chance constraint programming has been implemented using the mean variance approach to mitigate the inherent uncertainty of demand and supply of plasma due
to the voluntary-donations based supply chain. It not only optimizes the supply chain
network but also ensures robustness by incorporating probabilistic constraints. This
approach allows for the effective management of uncertain factors, contributing to a more
reliable and cost-efficient supply chain. Furthermore, we introduce an interactive multi objective fuzzy programming technique to address the complexity of balancing the three
objectives simultaneously. This approach facilitates decision-making by allowing for
trade-offs and interactions among the objectives. To validate the proposed methodologies
and their practical implications, a real-time case study is conducted within a region of a
developing country. The findings of this study provide insights into the effectiveness of the
developed models and offer actionable recommendations for improving the efficiency and
resilience of the plasma supply chain The key outcomes of this research include the
minimization of operational costs, the maximization of traceability, and the prioritization
of blood type compatibility, in plasma transfusion. By integrating these objectives, our
approach contributes to the optimization of the centralized plasma supply chain network
and enhances the overall quality and safety of plasma transfusion processes
