Aid officials act to end Cambodia hospital row
The government has taken steps to resolve a funding row over three children’s hospitals run by a Swiss doctor in Cambodia.
Last week the Swiss authorities said they had frozen SFr2.75 million ($2.2 million) because of Beat Richner’s failure to sign formal contracts with the Cambodian government.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) announced on Wednesday that it was now prepared to hand over the money.
But only on condition that Richner agrees to sign an accord with the Cambodian government within the next three years.
“As soon as the agreement is signed [between Richner and the Swiss government], we will release the money,” said Harry Sivec, spokesman for the SDC.
“We are anxious that the funds should be handed over as quickly as possible.”
Peter Rothenbühler, a board member of the Kantha Bopha Foundation, which manages the hospitals, said both sides were confident that a solution would be found by the end of July.
But he warned that any compromise would need Richner’s approval.
Government corruption
The paediatrician has previously refused to cooperate more closely with the Cambodian authorities because of concerns over government corruption.
“The health ministry is corrupt… and it is incumbent on our foundation not to sign a contract which would see the money we receive flowing through the hands of ministry officials,” he said in a letter to the Swiss foreign minister, Micheline Calmy-Rey.
The SDC maintains that all projects which receive funding from the Swiss government must fulfil certain criteria and “play by the rules”.
Richner was named “Swiss of the Year” in 2003 in recognition of his work operating children’s hospitals in Cambodia, which are mainly funded through private donations.
Richner raises money through his work as a cellist. Over the past ten years, his concerts have brought in over $100 million (SFr125 million), mostly from Swiss donors.
The SDC says it has contributed almost SFr17 million to the foundation since 1994.
swissinfo with agencies
Key facts
Richner opened his first hospital in Cambodia in 1993.
He is currently seeking SFr20 million for a new medical facility.
In brief
The government says it is prepared to release SFr2.75 million in funding for three private children’s hospitals in Cambodia run by a Swiss doctor.
But first, Beat Richner must agree to sign a contract with the Cambodian authorities within three years.
Up to now, he has refused to do so, claiming the Cambodian government is too corrupt.
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