Field Report of the Singapore Emergency Medical Team Deployment Following the 2025 Myanmar Earthquake: Clinical and Operational Insights from a WHO Type-1 Fixed Facility

On March 28, 2025, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Sagaing region of Myanmar, resulting in 3,816 deaths and 5,104 injured, with Mandalay Region sustaining the most severe damage. Singapore Emergency Medical Team (SGEMT), verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2024 as a Type-1 fixed Emergency Medical Team (EMT), was deployed in response. This mixed-methods study reports on the patient case mix and operational challenges encountered during the deployment. Data were derived from daily situation reports, clinical health records consistent with the WHO minimum data set (MDS), post-deployment review proceedings, and unstructured interviews with administrative, clinical, and logistics leads.Deployment was delayed by diplomatic complexities and logistical challenges in freight transport. Clinical operations commenced on April 8, 2025 at Bahtoo Stadium, Mandalay, where SGEMT managed 1,803 patients over eight days. Quantitatively, 21.6% presented with direct earthquake-related injuries, 7.9% with conditions indirectly related to displacement, and 70.5% with chronic or unrelated conditions, reflecting patterns observed in other post-earthquake responses. Acute respiratory infections were the predominant infectious disease. Most patients were female, underscoring the importance of gender-sensitive approaches. The integration of a physiotherapist in a Type-1 facility, beyond WHO EMT minimum standards, enhanced clinical efficacy and rehabilitative capacity.Qualitatively, thematic analysis guided by the 4Cs of disaster partnering -coordination, cooperation, communication, and collaboration - revealed critical enablers and constraints within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) humanitarian framework. Findings highlight the need to reinforce regional coordination mechanisms to strengthen future disaster response in complex geopolitical situations.