How does health care work in Myanmar, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the health and healthcare system work in Myanmar?

In Myanmar, health care leaves much to be desired. The sector is underdeveloped and emigrants often rely on private clinics or travel to neighboring countries such as Thailand for better care.
According to the World Health Organization, Myanmar ranks almost at the bottom of the list of health care achievements.
There is also a lot of medical inequality in Myanmar. Most facilities can be found in cities like Yangon and Mangalay, despite most Burmese living in rural areas.
Local health insurance is only available to government employees and locals. Expats can purchase their own private health insurance.

Government hospitals provide basic care, often at low cost.
Quality is limited due to a lack of resources, personnel and modern equipment.
Care is particularly limited in rural areas. In urban areas such as Yangon and Mandalay, there are more options, but the standard remains low compared to Western standards.
Long waiting times, scarcity of medicines and lack of English-speaking staff make public care less accessible to expats.
In public hospitals, you cannot rely on help in English.

Private clinics and hospitals, such as the Yangon International Medical Centre, offer better care. These institutions often cater to expatriates and the local elite. Unfortunately, though, there are only a handful of private clinics.
Private care is significantly better equipped and has English-speaking doctors, but the standard is not always consistent.
Expect higher costs than public care, but often still lower than in Western countries.
In the end, many emigrants still choose medical treatment abroad, for example, India, Malaysia, Singapore or Thailand.

General practitioners can be found in Myanmar, but it is not easy. Most likely you will find them at private clinics.

Dental care is available through both public and private clinics. Expats almost always choose private dentists because of better hygiene and quality.
Private clinics in cities like Yangon have dentists who are well trained, sometimes even abroad.
Dental care is affordable compared to Western countries.

In Myanmar, women in rural areas have very little access to pregnancy care.
Private hospitals and international clinics are the best choice for prenatal care because of better facilities and English-speaking staff.
Private clinics offer safer and more comfortable options, but travel to Thailand is often recommended for complex situations.

There has been much social and political unrest in Myanmar since the military takeover in 2021. Therefore, it is mostly not recommended to travel to the country.
Some areas you are not allowed to enter, other areas are (sometimes) under curfew, such as Yangon, for example. Be aware of the latest situation.
Most crime is only of a small and non-violent scale. Think bag-robberies, theft and (sales) scams.
There is a risk of landmines in rural areas.
There is also a risk of incarceration, especially for journalists and human rights activists.
Tropical cyclones sometimes occur between mid-April and mid-May, and in October and November. There is also a risk of earthquakes.

Health risks include mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, the zika virus and chikungunya.
You can also catch schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, in water and there are several diseases you can contract through contaminated food and water.

Driving a car is especially risky during the May-October rainy season. Because of landslides, roads can be blocked and bridges can be damaged.
Roads can also be blocked by the military and the opposition.
Road accidents occur regularly, not only because of safety standards, but also because of the condition of vehicles.

Is the trip to Myanmar and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

It is not mandatory to have insurance to move to Myanmar. Nevertheless, it is wise to take out one because of the state of medical care and the risk of needed medical evacuations. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.
Continue reading about emigrating to Myanmar or preparing a trip to Myanmar.

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