The Cambodian Kantha Bopha Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Swiss Kantha Bopha Foundation to further strengthen cooperation in the sustainable management of the five Kantha Bopha Children's Hospitals. The signing took place on 8 February between Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth, who serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cambodian Foundation, and Dr René Schwarzenbach, President of the Board of Trustees of the Swiss Foundation.
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Pornmoniroth said at the event that the MoU is based on an existing one. The previous agreement, signed on 5 February 2019, had the same objectives but needed some updates due to the changing global context. «Today's signing shows that there is progress in addressing the health of Cambodian children. They are the next generation that will lead our country, and for them we continue to contribute to ensure the sustainability of hospitals», he said.
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René Schwarzenbach told The Phnom Penh Post on 9 February that the signing of the MoU was a historic milestone for the Swiss foundation and the future of Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital. The Cambodian government has recognised the hospital as a centre of excellence and training that will further improve the health system and help the Kingdom's children, he said. «Together with the Cambodia Foundation, we at the Swiss Foundation are strongly committed to further strengthening and ensuring the financial sustainability of Kantha Bopha Hospitals and the health and well-being of Cambodian children.»
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At the signing ceremony, Pornmoniroth presented the hospital with $2 million in donations received through the Cambodia Foundation in addition to the requested budget. In 2021, the Cambodia Foundation received a total of about $18.5 million from various sources.
