Dr Beat Richner Forever Close to His Immense Charitable Legacy
The ashes of Dr Beat Richner, who passed away on September 9th in his native city of Zurich, will be preserved in a stupa facing Jayavarman VII Children's Hospital,
The ashes of Dr Beat Richner, who passed away on September 9th in his native city of Zurich, will be preserved in a stupa facing Jayavarman VII Children's Hospital, in Siem Reap province. Dr Beat Richner's ashes, regarded by many Khmer people as a living god, were transported on Wednesday, December 5th, to Siem Reap province in a procession led by Cambodian Vice Prime Minister Sam Ol. A ceremony honoring the physician was also held the following day, in the presence of King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath.
Grounds of Jayavarman VII Hospital ©AKP
A Revolution in Healthcare Access
Dr Beat Richner arrived in 1992 at the request of King Norodom Sihanouk to rebuild Phnom Penh's pediatric hospital, which had been destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. The Swiss physician would ultimately spend 25 years in the kingdom, establishing five pediatric centers in the capital and Siem Reap province, and pioneering universal access to free healthcare. Jayavarman VII Children's Hospital was built in 1999 and welcomes 3,000 children daily for consultations and 1,400 for hospitalization. The center has saved tens of thousands of lives. The five pediatric centers envisioned by Dr Beat Richner are financially supported by the Cambodian and Swiss governments, as well as by numerous private donors from Cambodia and abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Dr Beat Richner was a Swiss physician and musician (a cellist known by the stage name Beatocello) who arrived in Cambodia in 1992 at the request of King Norodom Sihanouk. He devoted 25 years of his life to rebuilding and developing free pediatric hospitals, saving tens of thousands of Cambodian children.
Dr Beat Richner established 5 pediatric centers in Cambodia: several in the capital Phnom Penh and one in Siem Reap, Jayavarman VII Hospital, built in 1999, which welcomes 3,000 children daily for consultations and 1,400 for hospitalization.
Dr Beat Richner's ashes are preserved in a stupa located facing Jayavarman VII Children's Hospital in Siem Reap province in Cambodia, where he built a significant part of his humanitarian work.
The 5 pediatric centers founded by Dr Beat Richner are funded by the Cambodian and Swiss governments as well as by private donors. You can contribute to this work through the Kantha Bopha Foundation, which collects donations to ensure free care for all Cambodian children.
Jayavarman VII Hospital is primarily a medical facility dedicated to caring for Cambodian children. Travelers passing through Siem Reap can inquire with the Kantha Bopha Foundation to learn whether visits are possible or if they can participate in benefit concerts organized by the association.
