Introduction: Following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, widespread conflict and displacement have severely strained healthcare systems along the Myanmar-Thailand border. This pilot study assessed emergency care capacity in the southern Shan and Karenni States, located in the southeastern region of Myanmar. Methods: Interviews were conducted utilizing a modified WHO hospital unit emergency assessment tool across seven healthcare facilities. Cluster analysis methods were used on the data to identify naturally occurring groups across a set of variables provided to investigate healthcare infrastructure. Upon examination of the dendrogram and utilizing Ward’s algorithm, the data from the four clinics were grouped, while the three secondary hospitals were evaluated individually. Descriptive statistics were examined to understand the similarities and differences between locations. Results: Four clinics and three hospitals were evaluated, and 162 facility characteristics were obtained. All facilities were found to provide basic emergency care services and have at least one emergent bed available, while only one hospital has a 24-hour emergency care unit. Strengths across facilities studied include management of acute respiratory distress, intravenous fluid administration, and burn management. Critical gaps across facilities include an absence of a dedicated triage area and a lack of formalized protocols, quality improvement measures, and reliable access to water and electricity. Conclusion: This pilot study reveals strengths and gaps in emergency healthcare infrastructure within the southern Shan and Karenni States. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to strengthen emergency care capacity in this conflict-affected region, focusing on infrastructure, protocol development, and resource availability.
Htike et al. (Sun,) studied this question.