Myanmar’s hospitals, already under strain from regime, struggle to cope with quake’s aftermath

Four years of military rule have left Myanmar’s healthcare system too dysfunctional to cope with mass casualties from last week’s earthquake near Mandalay, according to many familiar with the situation.

In Mandalay and Naypyitaw, the two largest urban areas affected by the quake, overwhelmed doctors are struggling to deal with the high influx of patients, local sources said.

“The hospital is always packed with patients even under normal circumstances. During this time of emergency, there is hardly enough space or supplies to treat everyone coming in. But the staff keep doing their jobs, despite the lack of manpower,” said a woman in her 50s living in Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s capital.