Famous Swiss cellist turned doctor Beat Richner (Beatocello) has single handedly managed to greatly improve the health care situation for children in Cambodia, but with TB still a number one killer what does the future hold for the children of Cambodia?
Between 1974 and 1975 Beat Richner worked at the Kantha Bopha Hospital in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh. When the Khmer Rouge took control of the country he was forced to return home to Switzerland, and Kantha Bopha along with every other hospital in Cambodia was forced to close.
In 1991 Richner returned to Cambodia, and witnessed the devastation that had occurred during in his absence. It was shortly after that he received a personal plea from the King, requesting him to re-open Kantha Bopha. He then embarked on a life’s project with the aim of building a chain of hospitals offering free health care treatment for children.
There are now five children’s hospitals up and running in Cambodia, all of which are fully funded by the donations from westerners. The hospitals also currently employ 2,100 Cambodian staff and only two foreign members of staff. The hospitals aim to pay all their staff correctly, by supplying them with a decent wage.
According to Richner the Kantha Bopha Hospitals operate to a constant state of full capacity, which means every day around 300 seriously ill children are admitted, doctors perform around 60 operations, the majority of which are cases of Tuberculosis. The staff also carries out 1,500 vaccinations per day and deliver 50 babies.
Free Classical Cello Concerts in Siem Reap
In an effort to raise money for the hospitals Beat Richner has returned to his musical roots. Before he became a podiatrist Richner was a successful and famous cellist in his home country of Switzerland. He now performs at the Concert Hall in Siem Reap in Cambodia, every Saturday in order to raise awareness of the hospital’s plight.
Richner appeals to westerners for donations of money or blood, as both are in high demand at his hospitals. Richner informs westerners during his benefits that “the average time for hospitalization (at the Kantha Bopha hospitals) is 5.5 days; the average cost per hospitalization is $240.”
He also states that “the Kantha Bopha hospitals provide free health care to 85 per cent of Cambodia’s children” which means that without these hospitals most children in Cambodia would go untreated.
Since he began in 1991 Beat Richner has managed to raise $340 million, and in 2003 he was named “Swiss of the Year.” He continues to juggle the running of his hospitals with his weekly solo performances. He also travels back to Switzerland whenever he can in order to appeal and spread the word of his plight. Richner still admits that he still worries for the children of Cambodia as funding is in short supply.
Suzanna Hulmes - Suzanna Hulmes has a BA Hons Degree in Creative Writing and Photography and Video. After taking a year out to travel extensively she is ...
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