The Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kantha Bopha Swiss Foundation to further strengthen cooperation to manage the five Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital in a more sustainable manner.
The signing took place on February 8 between Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, who serves as chairman of the Cambodia foundation’s board of trustees, and Robert Schwarzenbach, president of the board of directors of the Swiss foundation.
Pornmoniroth said at the event that the MoU was based on one which had previously been in effect. Signed on February 5, 2019, the previous agreement set out to achieve the same goals but required some updates due to the changing global context.
“The event today showcases progress in the thoughtful consideration of Cambodian children’s health. They are the next generation who will lead our nation, and it is for them that we continue to contribute to ensuring the sustainability of the hospitals,” he said.
“Since the Kantha Bopha Cambodia Foundation was established in 2018, it had worked closely with its Swiss counterpart,” he added.
Schwarzenbach told The Post on February 9 that the signing of the MoU was a historical milestone for the Swiss foundation and the future of the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital.
The Cambodian government, he said, recognised the hospital as a centre of excellence and training, which continued to improve the healthcare system and aid the children of the Kingdom.
“Together with the Cambodia foundation, we at the Swiss foundation are strongly committed to further strengthening and ensuring the financial sustainability of the Kantha Bopha Hospital and the health and wellbeing of Cambodian children,” he added.
At the signing ceremony, Pornmoniroth handed over $2 million of donations made through the Cambodia foundation to the hospital, in addition to the budget it had requested.
In 2021, the Cambodia foundation received a total contribution of approximately $18.5 million from various sources.
