A senior UN official in Myanmar is calling for urgent medical support for people affected by last month's powerful earthquake in the country.



UNDP Resident Representative for Myanmar Titon Mitra told NHK the situation in central Sagaing region, near the epicenter, remains dire. Mitra said that at least 80 percent of buildings there are heavily damaged. He also said many businesses have been disrupted because of the earthquake, adding that transport links are also very problematic.



With many people in quake-hit central Myanmar still living in temporary shelters, car parks or even on roadsides, Mitra said medical help is urgently needed.



He said lack of safe water, dust from rubble and emotional distress are damaging people's health. Making things worse, Myanmar's medical system has weakened since the military coup four years ago.



Mitra said: "The civil disobedience movement has been in effect for many years, where qualified doctors, nurses and associated health staff have all chosen to leave the public system. We have an extremely fragile health system."