In the scorching heat of Mandalay, hundreds of patients – from infants to the elderly and Buddhist monks – are lying on hospital beds in an outdoor car park. Three days after a catastrophic earthquake hit Myanmar, the people in the city are very worried and waiting for more shaking.

Despite having approximately 1,000 beds, Mandalay General Hospital has relocated most patients outside following the devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives across Myanmar and Thailand. The 7.7-magnitude tremor on March 28, accompanied by numerous aftershocks, has forced authorities to keep patients outdoors to prevent potential injuries from collapsing structures. The situation is far from ideal for anyone here at the hospital. "We're doing everything possible under these circumstances," an anonymous medical worker explained to AFP.

With temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius, patients found shelter beneath makeshift tarpaulin covers erected to protect them from the intense sun. Family members held their relatives' hands, offering reassurance, while others used bamboo fans to provide relief. Young children with injuries cried in the uncomfortable environment, and a wounded monk lay connected to an intravenous drip.

Medical staff are equally affected by the crisis. During brief breaks from their grueling work schedules, healthcare workers sat on the ground, attempting to regain their strength. While the hospital structure appeared intact, only critical care patients and their attending physicians stayed indoors. Everyone else crowded together under the tarpaulin or found shelter in a nearby area with a metal roof.