The Kantha Bopha Foundation was founded by Swiss doctor Dr. Beat Richner in 1992 and has opened 5 children’s hospitals in Cambodia. Since the start, they have treated more than 20 million children as outpatients and 2.6 million children as inpatients. Now, 85 percent of all sick children in Cambodia have access to the care they need. All treatments are provided to the children for free as most of these local families don’t have the financial means to cover the costs. The pediatric hospitals are largely financed by donations and contributions from Switzerland – and also from Cambodia itself.
During the first week of December, the Swiss team composed of Prof. Kretschmar, Dr. Stambach and Prof. Prêtre helped the local team screen 30 to 40 children each day and treat 28 children with congenital heart defects in the cath lab and operating room at Siem Reap’s Jayavarman VII hospital in Cambodia.
Abbott supported the organization by providing devices needed to treat the children. They will now have the chance to grow up and live a normal life.
Swiss and local medical team working hand-in-hand in Cambodia.
Narin with her mother after her cardiac catheterization. Narin’s mother was so grateful that her daughter was able to receive the lifesaving cardiac treatment she required.
Srey Pich was able to go home with her mother after a successful treatment.
At only 4 months old, Pich benefited from a lifesaving treatment. His mum is now relieved and will go home the day after the intervention.
