Damn dirty lies
Last issue of the "Phnom Penh Post" had an article on the 1997 grenade attack at a KNP opposition rally. More than a dozen were killed and more than 100 wounded. Ten years on, the investigation continues but no evidence was ever found. Some of the wounded were taken to Kantha Bopha II children's hospital where that the hospital director refused entry, according to the article.
Today's "Cambodia Daily" has a double page spread written by the hospital director, Dr Beat Richner. He demands compensation, to the tune of one million dollars, from the Phnom Penh Post for this "ugly lie" - his alleged rejected of the wounded. Dr Beat claims that he was not at the hospital when the grenade exploded and so could not have refused to treat.
If he could prove that he is correct or insinuate it enough, he could sue for defamation which is a criminal offense - it's most often used to dispose of the opposition leaders. There is no other way be could get $1 million. There is no compensation culture here, although bribery is very much part of the culture. $1 million is an unreal sum of money in this country where around 80% of the population live on $0.50 a day. And it would not be the first time Cambodian hospitals have turned away the sick and injured.
Dr Beat attacks not only the PP Post but he takes a swing at international organisations in the country too, particular those concerned with health. He capitalises every instance of "who". Can anyone guess what that stands for? He rejects that "medical standard should correspond to the economical reality of the country" which he claims is the attitude of international organisations.
It's all very well to say that every country should have first world medical care but rather difficult in implement. Over half the national budget of Cambodia is given by donor countries. That money trickles away through corrupt Government departments and nobody is accountable and nothing changes. Corruption undermines everything but it does not help to throw more money at the Government. Perhaps Dr Beat's rant is a little misdirected.
Today's "Cambodia Daily" has a double page spread written by the hospital director, Dr Beat Richner. He demands compensation, to the tune of one million dollars, from the Phnom Penh Post for this "ugly lie" - his alleged rejected of the wounded. Dr Beat claims that he was not at the hospital when the grenade exploded and so could not have refused to treat.
If he could prove that he is correct or insinuate it enough, he could sue for defamation which is a criminal offense - it's most often used to dispose of the opposition leaders. There is no other way be could get $1 million. There is no compensation culture here, although bribery is very much part of the culture. $1 million is an unreal sum of money in this country where around 80% of the population live on $0.50 a day. And it would not be the first time Cambodian hospitals have turned away the sick and injured.
Dr Beat attacks not only the PP Post but he takes a swing at international organisations in the country too, particular those concerned with health. He capitalises every instance of "who". Can anyone guess what that stands for? He rejects that "medical standard should correspond to the economical reality of the country" which he claims is the attitude of international organisations.
It's all very well to say that every country should have first world medical care but rather difficult in implement. Over half the national budget of Cambodia is given by donor countries. That money trickles away through corrupt Government departments and nobody is accountable and nothing changes. Corruption undermines everything but it does not help to throw more money at the Government. Perhaps Dr Beat's rant is a little misdirected.
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