A Multi-Criteria-Decision Making Methodology to Prioritizing Telemedicine Expansion Opportunities

Samirath Bakary; Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima; Ibrahim Badi

Authors

Samirath Bakary Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), Off Kamiti Road, P.O Box 25305-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2599-4773
Mouhamed Bayane Bouraima Organization of African Academic Doctors (OAAD), Off Kamiti Road, P.O Box 25305-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5801-884X
Ibrahim Badi Department of Mechanical Engineering, Libyan Academy-Misrata, Misrata, Libya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1193-1578

Keywords:

Telemedicine, Sub-Saharan Africa, Opportunities, MCDM, Interval-valued spherical fuzzy sets, IVSF, SWARA

Abstract

This article explores the current opportunities related to telemedicine expansion in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. The study adopted a decision-making approach which comprises interval-valued spherical fuzzy (IVSF) Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) to investigate this expansion within the region. Six opportunities are identified based on expert opinions and a literature review. The findings indicate that the extension of broadband and mobile infrastructure and the development of national policy reforms and regulations are the most important opportunities for the expansion of telemedicine. The study implies that strategic priority should be given to investing in broadband and mobile infrastructure while simultaneously strengthening telemedicine policies and regulatory frameworks to enable scalable, compliant, and sustainable telemedicine implementation across the region.

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