Beat Richner, a Swiss paediatric doctor and cellist famous for his work in Cambodia has died at the age of 71 after a serious illness, his foundation said on Sunday.
Zurich-born Richner, also well known in Switzerland by his nickname of Beatocello, moved to Phnom Penh in 1992, where he rebuilt the Kantha Bopha children’s hospital at the request of Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk after the civil war.
“He left everything behind to answer the call of Norodom Sihanouk, who asked him to rebuild the children’s hospital in Phnom Penh, destroyed during the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge,” it added.
The first Kantha Bopha hospital was inaugurated in Phnom Penh by former King Norodom Sihanouk in September 1992. The hospital was named after King Sihanouk’s daughter, who died from leukaemia.
Health Minister Mam Bun Heng expressed his grief to learn of Dr Richner’s death.
“We are very sadden to learn of his death,” he said. “He saved the lives of thousands of Cambodian children.”
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