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How much ‘Swissness’ is still in Beat Richner’s children’s hospitals?

Beat Richner, also known as Beatocello, talks to another doctor about an X-ray of a young patient
Beat Richner discusses a case with a fellow doctor in 2011. The Kantha Bopha hospitals are ranked as university hospitals because they provide education. Keystone / Gary Kieffer

It has been five years since Beat Richner, probably the most famous Swiss paediatrician, passed away. His legacy lives on - in his hospitals in Cambodia. But how much Swiss support remains for his hospitals. 

In the five children’s hospitals of the “Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital” Foundation, 80% to 90% of all hospital treatments for children and adolescents in Cambodia are carried outfree of charge. The 2,500 employees are locals, only the general director is European. The children’s hospitals are managed by the Swiss Foundation based in Zurich.

The quality and the training standard of the hospital staff are of Swiss standard. Since the hospitals foundation in 1992, these standards have been ensured through a cooperation with the Children’s Hospital in Zurich and other Swiss hospitals.

Doctors and nurses undertake a special training, which takes place in the hospitals themselves and is supported by Swiss specialists.

Medical professionals from Switzerland regularly travel to Cambodia; for example, Oliver Kretschmar, head of cardiology at the Children’s Hospital Zurich and professor at the University of Zurich. He says, “The transfer of knowledge takes place in such a way that I travel to Cambodia twice a year, assist in operations there and discuss them before and after. It still needs occasional external input so that the different areas can develop further.”

As the musical clown Beatocello, Beat Richner
As the musical clown “Beatocello”, Beat Richner enchanted children and took away their fear of a doctor and injections. In his role as “Beatocello”, Beat Richner collected money for his foundation “Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital” with his concerts. Keystone / Susann Schimert-ramme

Financing Richner’s children’s hospitals

Beat Richner was a brilliant fundraiser as “Beatocello”. Since his death, the foundation has tried to remain present in the public eye with various appearances and campaigns. It organises the annual gala at the Knie Circus as well as cello concerts. 

talk with doctor

In the past two years, about 70% of the funds raised still came from Switzerland. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) has also supported the Kantha Bopha hospitals since 1994 and will continue to do so until the end of 2027, as part of its Cambodia aid.

For a few years now, funds have also been coming from within Cambodia from various sources, including contributions from the new Cambodian “Kantha Bopha Foundation”. According to Foundation Board President Philip Robinson, the Cambodian share of donations has been around 30% for the past two years. “This year we expect 40% and next year around 50% donation proportions from Cambodia.” 

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A Swiss doctor who brought hope to Cambodia

This content was published on Beat Richner, also well known in Switzerland under his nickname of Beatocello, gives a concert every Thursday and Saturday evening in the Kantha Bopha hospital in the northwestern town of Siem Reap, close to the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat. “Health is the main reason why poor families become ruined. By providing completely free…

Read more: A Swiss doctor who brought hope to Cambodia

According to Swiss public television, SRF, Southeast Asia correspondent Martin Aldrovandi, state hospitals are considered to be of poor quality. People have to pay money for better and faster treatment. Corruption takes place in all areas of life in Cambodia. The country ranks 150th out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption scale.

Regular checks in hospitals

Beat Richner’s children’s hospitals pay their employees salaries that enable them to live independently and support a family. This is how they guard against corruption, according to the foundation. The Swiss foundation behind the Kantha Bopha hospitals also acts as a deterrent against corruption. The hospitals are also monitored by an international auditing firm and relies on supervision by the Swiss foundation.

Financially, the children’s hospitals tend to become less dependent on Swiss donations. However, Swiss support will continue to be necessary for quality assurance, their further development and the preservation of their independence.

The SRF documentary “Beat Richner’s legacyExternal link” was first broadcast on September 3, 2023.

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