Applications and challenges of simulation for healthcare operations management in Africa

Tesfamariam M. Abuhay, Mihret W. Tereda, Lomi E. Adane, Malefia D. Melesse and Stewart Robinson

Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2025, vol. 76, issue 5, 1000-1018

Abstract: This study identifies the applications and challenges of simulation for healthcare operations management in Africa using a systematic literature review and survey. Simulation has been used in Africa mainly to address problems of disease transmission and prevention and to analyze the effectiveness of diagnosis and/or treatment strategies. HIV and malaria have been studied widely using systems-dynamic, Monte Carlo, agent-based, and discrete-event simulation methods. However, the number of publications based on the first author’s affiliation revealed that out of the top 30 universities, only 5 of them are in Africa, to be specific in South Africa. This shows limited usage of simulation by researchers based in African universities. Besides, 58% of the survey participants, consisting of researchers with MSc (84%) and Ph.D. (10%) and 5–10 years of experience (70%), do not utilize their awareness of simulation for healthcare operation management due to a lack of organized data (71%), ICT infrastructure (69%), data security and privacy (68), ethical and responsible data use (65%), and attitudes of health professionals (63%). Besides, the lack of curricula on simulation in African universities, data sharing policy, awareness, and top management support have been limiting the adoption of simulation for healthcare operations management in Africa.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/01605682.2024.2406243

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