Beat Richner

Beat Richner (13 March 1947 – 9 September 2018) was a Swiss pediatrician, cellist and founder of children's hospitals in Cambodia.

When the Khmer Rouge overran Cambodia, Richner was forced to return to Switzerland where he continued his work at the Zürich Children's Hospital.

[2] In the process of pursuing his medical career and an interest in music and entertainment, Dr. Richner developed the character of "Beatocello", an artistic and comedic clown who played the cello.

[2] In December 1991 Richner returned to Cambodia and saw the devastation that had taken place following the ensuing conflicts with the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam.

As "Beatocello", Richner performed free concerts at the Jayavarman VII hospital in Siem Reap on Thursday and Saturday nights, during the high season.

In 2006, the documentary "Dr Beat and The Passive Genocide of Children" by Australian film maker Janine Hosking was produced.

[6] The five children's hospitals built by Richner and the Kantha Bopha Foundation are located in Cambodia's major cities.

On 9 October 2001 a maternity ward for HIV infected mothers was added to Jayavarman VII and includes 350 hospital beds.

Built in connection to the first hospital, Kantha Bopha IV stands near the famous Wat Phnom in the capital city.

The course program also includes an introduction into the organization and management of a children's hospital and maternity facilities in a poor tropical country.