Yangon hospitals ill-equipped to handle emergencies

NAYPYITAW — Yangon Region may have difficulty with providing emergency healthcare if natural disasters occur as its public hospitals have only about 4,800 beds, said Dr Maw Oo from the intensive care unit of Yangon General Hospital during the second earthquake forum held in Insein Township.

“We have made preparations for earthquakes. But we have problems because special and general hospitals in the city can provide only about 5,000 beds. Yangon’s population is over 5 million or nearly 6 million. YGH is always crowded,” said Dr Maw Oo.

The Ministry of Health and Sports held a meeting about two months ago to discuss preparations for possible earthquakes. According to the meeting resolution, priority has been given to the cities along the fault. They are Mandalay, Yangon, Nay Pyi Taw and Bago, he added.

However, he said private hotels, about 60 private hospitals and township health departments would be used as necessary.

“YGH, West District Hospital, East District Hospital, Thingangyun Hospital, North Oakkalapa Hospital and Insein Hospital can receive many patients. Moreover, Yangon has other kinds of hospitals such as orthopedics hospital. The mental hospital can also be a centre to receive patients in times of emergency,” he commented.