A Japanese doctor who has been caring for survivors of last month's powerful earthquake in Myanmar has appealed for continued international assistance.



Igarashi Yutaka of the Nippon Medical School Hospital Advanced Critical Care Center arrived in Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay on April 4 as a member of Japan's emergency relief team.



Igarashi immediately began treating people who suffered bone fractures and other injuries when a building collapsed or while they were evacuating.



He told NHK that some of the injured did not receive immediate treatment because they had to care for their families. They went to see a doctor only when their wounds had become infected.



Igarashi said many people in Mandalay are still living outdoors more than two weeks after the earthquake. He said some of them are suffering from a cold and showing symptoms of infectious diseases, such as diarrhea. Others are complaining about more chronic pain in their lower back and legs.



Igarashi added that many people are unable to receive treatment at local clinics due to overcrowding or lack of money.



He said the Japanese medical team takes in more than 100 patients daily.



Igarashi noted that patients who had lost their loved ones need psychological support.



He said some foreign medical teams are going back home, but international aid is needed until medical institutions in Myanmar resume normal services.