NICU – the passion project of Dr. Bunthong and his team

Dr. Bunthong (right) with his team, whom I had the privilege of following for a week.

Incubators, the constant beeping of monitors, and the smallest babies you have ever seen – these are the first impressions when you enter the neonatal intensive care unit in Siem Reap. Here, day after day, tireless efforts are made to ensure the survival and recovery of newborns and premature babies.

The diseases and medical problems remain essentially the same as in Switzerland: infection prevention, good nutrition with continuous weight gain, and stabilization of the cardiovascular system are also the main goals here. However, according to Dr. Bunthong and his team, the diseases that occur most frequently are primarily infectious diseases—sepsis, HIV and syphilis, which are transmitted during pregnancy or shortly after birth. But when asked more specifically, everyone reports that HIV transmission between mother and child in particular has decreased dramatically—one of Beat Richner's major goals. Unfortunately, however, the rates are now rising again.

What amazed me most during my time at the NICU was that Dr. Bunthong is one of only 40 neonatologists in the entire country—and one of the few who does not work in Phnom Penh, the capital. This means that he is the only specialist serving around 50 percent of the country in the northwest. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to ask him more about his life, his work, and the still-young field of neonatology in Cambodia.

Like all of his Cambodian colleagues, he studied medicine in Phnom Penh. He knew early on that he was fascinated by pediatrics. During his internship year – similar to our elective year – he was introduced to neonatology for the first time and immediately developed a strong interest in it. Nevertheless, he was unsure whether he should even attempt the specialization exam: out of around 500 students, only about three pass the neonatology exam each year; for pediatrics, the figure is around 15. But he followed his heart – and passed.

He then specialized in Phnom Penh, Paris, and most recently in Siem Reap under the renowned director Prof. Chantana. Originally, he wanted to work in Phnom Penh, where salaries are higher, there are more private clinics, and medicine is more advanced. However, his wife is from Siem Reap, which was a decisive factor in his decision to return. He also finds his work as head of the NICU, teacher to numerous assistant doctors, researcher, and physician in close contact with around 30 patients deeply fulfilling.

With around eight-hour working days, a 26-hour shift every four days, a family and constant availability by phone in case of emergency, he – like many of his colleagues – gives his all for his little patients. Labor rights or legally regulated rest periods as we know them do not exist, but many see their work as charitable. There is a hint of patriotism in the air – “otherwise the patients, and thus a large proportion of the children in our country, would be left in the lurch,” he says quietly.

A nurse performing daily personal care on a child in an incubator (left).

Newly certified physician Dr. Sokhann on rounds (right).

Dr. Bunthong also talks about the challenges: the lack of equipment such as incubators and the difficulty in accessing vital medications such as surfactant, a drug that can be essential for the lung maturation of premature babies. Compared to France, the mortality rate among newborns is significantly higher. He is currently hoping to obtain new surfactant ampoules, as there are only two left in Siem Reap (as of October 22, 2025) for more than ten premature babies. The decision of who receives the medication is heartbreaking. I was once allowed to be present during such an administration – a procedure that is routine almost every day at our hospital, but here becomes a rare, almost solemn event.

Surfactant is treated like gold – rare and precious. As a tiny drop of this “gold” slides into the lungs of a newborn, you feel that humanity has become the most valuable commodity here.

With warm regards from Siem Reap

Devanshi