Siem Reap Cambodia - The Magnificent Dr. Beat Richner

It is easy to become discouraged living in "developing" country - at the lack of development.  The odds are so stacked against it - staggering poverty with half of countries earning less than $2US/day; rampant diseases like TB, cholera, maleria that the US hasn't seen in 60 years, if ever; and corruption on a scale that is hard to comprehend, and even harder to address.

And then, you happen upon a miracle and are boosted back to the possibilities, and are humbled by meeting a person who somehow surmounted the odds and became a living legend of accomplishment.  And you leave the encounter feeling trivial, but again hearing the call to become more than you are.

Such was my Saturday night here in Cambodia, when I attended the weekly "cello concert" at Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital, given by its head, Dr. Beat Richner, a Swiss pediatrician.

"Concert" in a Victor Borge sort of presentation - yes, classical excerpts were played, and Richner was passionate about his music - beautifully executed.  But the only reason he was on stage was to tell the story of Kantha Bopha and to request funding from the international audience, who came from the western world - Switzerland, Australia, the US - and were nearly all white and monied.

And what a story he told.

197 Red Cross volunteer

 He graduated medical school in 1973 and
 was sent to Cambodia with the Red Cross in 1974. 
 Forced to leave in 1975 when the  country was invaded
 by the crushing Khmer Rouge, he returned to Zurich
 where he practiced pediatrics for 15 years. 

The Entertainer "Beatocello"

He developed his poet/clown/entertainer character "Beatocello" during medical school and entertained crowds in Zurich, and wrote children's books on his character - as well as ran his own practice until 1991  At that time the Cambodian government asked him to return to Cambodia to resurrect the children's hospital which had been destroyed (along with 1.7-2.5 million lives in the 'killing fields') during the war.

As many do, he came for two years, and stayed 22 so far.  He admits to severe homesickness and from what I've read, also severe depression.  But what a remarkable journey he began at age 44, when many doctors relax at their golf or tennis club and are looking forward to retirement.  With the help of the King, Norodom Sihanouk (who died in October of 2012, which took an obvious toll on the doctor), he has built 5 hospitals in Cambodia - the largest children's hospital in the world.



King Norodom Sihanouk



Opening a new hospital

Kantha Bopha (named for the daughter of the King who died as a child with leukemia) has treated over 12 MILLION outpatients and 1.5 MILLION seriously ill patients over the last 22 years. 

Richner's premise is that you need modern world technology to address the diseases of the 'developing' world and that treatment should be just and equitable.  He has made remarkable medical progress as well as social - there is no charge to anyone for any of the services at his hospitals.  The medications, surgeries and all services,  in- or out-patient, are free of charge.




Over 640 doctors report to him

Out of the 2450 people employed, only Richner and his head of pathology are ex-pats - another incredible achievement.  His research has linked mother's milk to TB (65% of the Cambodian population has TB and it is the main cause of death here - which Richner attributes to the war and abysmal conditions of the camps).  The mortality rate at his hospitals, which treat mothers and children is unheard of - only 1% with diseases such as TB, cholera, dengue and malaria.





Richner 1992

Richner has little good to say about pharmaceutical companies or medical policies which refuse to allow the poor to access modern world technologies. Several western countries (US included) will not donate because they demand that the patient pay for a portion of the care. But, as I've seen in the Philippines, if you have no money, a 20% discount doesn't help much. 90% of Richner's funding comes from individual donors.



Richner at Saturday's concert July 6, 2013

A person who views peace and justice as the only possible path, Richner is outspoken and not known for diplomacy - even as he asks for money. He blames Kissinger and the CIA for deposing the king, starting the "secret" war, and plunging Cambodia into the depths of the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. He despises corruption and shows that you can operate corruption-free even is a land steeped in it. He blames pharmaceutical greed for keeping disease thriving among the world's poor, and the 'haves' of the world for not caring to provide the same medical advancements of which they partake to the 'have nots'.

Over my 60 years I've witnessed plenty of outspoken folks, but few who do more than complain and place blame elsewhere.  This man certainly has his foibles and opinions, but he acts for the good of all and "lives big."  I was humbled both by the work that he is doing - and by the fact that I'd never even heard of him, when it seems he should have been on several covers of TIME magazine.   He doesn't work for himself but for others. 

I came to Siem Reap to experience beauty and got more than I expected.




Two Youtubes from a teenager who experienced what I did - thought these captured it well - thanks Grace Keenan!