Health Project Prioritization in Meta, Colombia, Using Anp-Dematel

The prioritization of healthcare projects in Colombia's Meta Department was conducted through an integrated Analytic Network Process (ANP) and Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) multicriteria decision-making model. which systematically evaluates interdependencies among strategic criteria while incorporating expert judgments to optimize resource allocation and enhance health service equity and accessibility. The analysis identified the reconstruction of Puerto Gaitán's healthcare center as the highest-priority intervention. followed by the expansion of Acacías municipal hospital and the establishment of an emergency regulation center. with results demonstrating a strong correlation between infrastructure development and reduction of unmet basic needs (UBN) that underscores the critical role of physical infrastructure in advancing health equity. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the model's robustness under parameter variations. while the ANP-DEMATEL integration proved particularly valuable for capturing complex criterion interdependencies. balancing technical and equity considerations. and supporting transparent resource allocation decisions. suggesting its potential applicability for evidence-based health planning in comparable regional contexts that requires simultaneous attention to immediate needs and long-term system strengthening objectives.