Healthcare

Myanmar's healthcare infrastructure has been severely impacted by decades of underinvestment and the post-2021 political crisis. The public healthcare system is stretched thin, with limited equipment, medication shortages, and overwhelmed staff. Private hospitals in Yangon provide a higher standard of care but still lack the facilities and expertise for complex procedures. The universal recommendation for expats is comprehensive international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage — Bangkok is the standard evacuation destination, just 2 hours by air.

Yangon has the best private healthcare facilities in Myanmar, with several hospitals catering to expats and offering English-speaking doctors. For routine care — GP visits, minor ailments, basic diagnostics — these facilities are adequate and very affordable. For anything serious (surgery, cancer treatment, complex diagnostics), Bangkok's Bumrungrad or BNH hospitals are the standard referral destinations.

Comprehensive international health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is non-negotiable for expats in Myanmar. Local insurance options are limited and unreliable. International plans from providers like Cigna Global, Allianz Care, Pacific Prime, or IMG cover treatment in Myanmar's private facilities and, critically, medical evacuation to Bangkok for serious cases. Employers (international schools, NGOs) typically provide insurance as part of the employment package.

Pharmacies are widespread in Yangon and Mandalay, and many common medications are available over the counter at very low prices. However, quality control can be inconsistent, and counterfeit or expired medications are a known risk. For critical medications, bring a supply from home or source from reputable pharmacies. Bangkok is the fallback for specialized prescriptions.