Close to 100 individuals have received medical treatment from the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) in Myanmar as part of the country’s ongoing humanitarian response to the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck on March 28, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Saturday, April 5.

According to the DOH, the PEMAT Type 1 Fixed Field Hospital began operations in Pyinmana at 8 a.m. on April 3 and continued until 5 a.m. on April 4. 

The facility provided comprehensive medical and public health services and served a total of 94 patients on its first day.

The health department said the cases included 68 consultations for general medicine, 20 for surgical concerns, and two each for pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics. 

Among the patients, 71 were female and 23 were male. Of the total cases, 22 were directly related to the earthquake, 14 were indirectly related, and 56 were unrelated. 

One patient, a newborn with neonatal sepsis, was referred to the 200 Bedded General Hospital in Pyinmana for specialized care.

The DOH also noted that the second augmentation team deployed to Lewe Township Hospital conducted 17 consultations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 3. 

These included six general medicine cases, six surgical, four orthopedic, and one obstetric case. Four of the cases were indirectly linked to the earthquake, while the rest were unrelated.

Another PEMAT Type 1 Fixed Hospital located near Bomingaung Temple officially launched operations on April 4, providing free medical check-ups and medicines to affected communities. 

Representatives from Myanmar’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information were present at the launch. 

The DOH said demand for services was immediate, with a queue forming shortly after the hospital opened.

It added that the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team has been operating at the Jade City Hotel site in coordination with teams from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Indonesia.