Hennig couple honoured with Quadriga Prize
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© Event Press herrmann berlin / Bensheim
Kristina Hennig receives the Quadriga Prize 'Light of empathy' from actress Iris Berben
CBM’s Dr. Albrecht Hennig and his wife Kristina were honoured with Germany's Quadriga Prize for 'Light of Empathy' in the Berlin Konzerthaus on October 3, 2010. The prize, which has no financial component, is awarded by the non-profit Werkstatt Deutschland (Workshop Germany) organisation, and is given to 'role models who are committed to enlightenment, commitment and welfare'.
A life's work
Dr. Albrecht Hennig and his wife Kristina have worked tirelessly for 28 years in the field of ophthalmology in Nepal, having gone there in 1982.
The eye doctor, who directs the Sagarmatha Choudary Eye Hospital in Lahan, said (with a grin), "Originally we wanted to stay there for only two years and then take over my father's medical practice in Kusel – but now, 28 years later...”
In that time, the eye hospital in Lahan has saved the sight of more than a million people, developing the ‘fishhook’ technique for cataract operations in the process. In 2006 an additional eye hospital was built in Biratnagar.
Dr. Hennig - a hero in the field of human eye disease
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©CBM
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Dr. Albrecht Hennig operating in Lahan, Nepal, in 1983
"In the life work of the couple, we find compassion for the poorest of the poor" said the jury, in their justification.
“The fact that Dr Hennig has helped so many people - especially in the beginning under such adverse circumstances, without water and electricity, has made him a hero.”
Kristina Hennig also had "shown the courage of a lioness," as she had followed her husband, with their two small children, to Nepal.
I thank all the donors
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©CBM
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Construction on the new hospital in Biratnagar
Dr Hennig replied that the award was a great honour, but added, “the work was not done by two people alone. It requires good organisation, which is why we would like to thank CBM and their many loyal donors!"
The ophthalmologist also said he would accept the honour on behalf of his entire team in Nepal, and he emphasised the merit of his wife: "Without you this would not have been possible; what you have achieved under very difficult conditions has been out of the ordinary."
Kristina Hennig said the couple look back with much satisfaction at the past, but stated that “for the coming years they hope they can still accomplish much - especially with the new eye clinic in Biratnagar.”
From temporary to a modern eye clinic
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©CBM
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Cataract patients operated on in one day in Lahan, 1997
Dr. Hennig began his work in Nepal 28 years ago under the harshest working conditions: "There was no electricity or imported goods. Sometimes I was close to quitting," he recalled.
Today, the modern hospital in Lahan has over 125 employees and 450 beds. The ten eye doctors at the clinic carry out about 60,000 operations a year - of which about 90 percent are to remove cataracts.
Retirement plans
At 62, Dr Hennig still works in Lahan because, he explains, "My job there is extremely interesting and gives me a high level of satisfaction - probably much more than I would have in Germany.
"If you operate on 100 or 200 people per day, you feel tired in the evening, but you also feel you have done something meaningful, something good."
However, he has already made plans for retirement: "I'm going to return to our hometown Berlin, with my wife, Kristina, to meet friends, play sports and appreciate a different way of life."
