Q1. Why was the rescue team sent to Myanmar so timely?

A1. The Hospital Authority Special Duty Cadre (HASDC), established in 2023 with over 120 members from various medical fields, enabled a rapid response. Sub-teams trained for the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) were well-prepared. Following the March 28, 2025, earthquake in Myanmar, the HKSAR government, at Myanmar’s request, deployed a Fire Services Department (FSD)-led search and rescue (SAR) team, including two HASDC doctors and two nurses. The HAHO Major Incident Control Centre (MICC) was activated to coordinate.

Q2. What was done during the short preparation time?

A2. Within 37 minutes of the earthquake, the HA was notified by FSD. In 8 hours, the HA team assembled at Kai Tak Fire Station with checked equipment. Team members received typhoid, tetanus, and Hepatitis A vaccinations, plus pre-deployment medical check-ups. By noon the next day, the Hong Kong SAR Government Team (SARGT) was ready at the airport, departing at 6 PM for Yangon.

Q3. How long did it take to get to the most damaged area and base of operation – Mandalay?

A3. Due to severe damage to Mandalay’s airport, the team landed in Yangon, 800 km away. Damaged roads and a nighttime curfew extended travel to Mandalay to approximately 30 hours.

Q4. How was the condition at the base of operation?

A4. The base, set up with mainland China’s team, had stable electricity, clean water, and basic sanitation, supported by locals. Mosquitoes were prevalent due to flooding, prompting the use of mosquito nets and malaria prophylaxis. Meals were sufficient, eliminating the need for military-grade food.

Q5. What operations were conducted in the affected area?

A5. The Hong Kong team was assigned a sector in the affected area, focusing on two roles:

• Team Health: Operating in 40°C heat, the medical team provided 24/7 consultations, monitored for heat stress, dehydration, and infections, implemented vector-borne disease prevention, and assisted with post-rescue decontamination. Common issues included skin rashes, tinea pedis, near syncope, mild hypokalemia, and dehydration.

• Rubble Operations: The team provided on-site care for survivors (e.g., crush syndrome management), treated injured rescuers, and assisted with corpse extrication. Due to the 30-hour travel delay and limited local medical support, few survivors required advanced interventions like field amputations. Minor cases included local consultations for musculoskeletal injuries, infected wounds, and medication shortages.

Q6. What were the challenges faced during the mission?

A6. Challenges included:

• Language Barrier: Overcome with assistance from local Chinese speakers.

• Unstable Telecommunications: Local mobile networks were down, with limited satellite bandwidth. Extreme heat caused mobile phone failures.

• Limited Local Medical Services: Local medical support was scarce and unreachable.