Who we are
Through the voluntary work of the doctors and support for medical care, it is possible to improve the health care of the poor population and especially the children in these countries. The work is characterised by the principles of respect and dignity for all people. An important part of our work on the ground is the cooperation and training of local staff in the spirit of sustainability: help that lasts!
After a longer period of preparation, Swiss Doctors was founded in spring 2018 by committed doctors in Switzerland. We are convinced that our commitment to local people is meaningful and that we can help to make a difference. With our voluntary humanitarian work, we want to help underprivileged people in many countries around the world.
Interested doctors in Switzerland can register for missions in one of the countries on short-term assignments. In addition, there are other options for supporting Swiss Doctors. Our organisation is registered in the Zurich commercial register and donations are tax-deductible. If you are interested in supporting us in Switzerland, please contact our President Gudrun Jäger for further information.
Dr Gudrun Jäger
President of Swiss Doctors
Studied medicine in Antwerp, Frankfurt am Main and Lausanne. Worked as paediatrician at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main in Germany from 1990 to 2001.
Professional activity: Has worked at the Eastern Switzerland Children's Hospital in St. Gallen since 2001. Senior physician specialised in neonatal and intensive care medicine as well as working in palliative ethics and running various emergency courses.
Voluntary missions in countries with limited resources: A total of seven missions with Swiss Doctors in the Philippines, Bangladesh and Kenya. Several times in Sierra Leone since 2016 to work in the hospital and set up a training program for peadiatrics.
Dr Bettina Essers
Vice President of Swiss Doctors
Studied medicine in Bern. Trained as specialist in paediatrics and adolescent medicine FMH in various Swiss hospitals. Specialised in neonatology. 2-year stay in Sydney, Australia.
Professional activity: Many years as senior physician in hospitals in Zurich and Chur, since 2019 at Zollikerberg Hospital.
Voluntary missions in countries with limited resources: 2011 with Swiss Doctors in Buda (Mindanao, Philippines), 2019 and 2021 in Sierra Leone. Also missions in Mongolia and Laos.
Susann Lorani
Board member
Studied dentistry at the FSU Jena, from 2003 to 2007 working as general dentist in Germany.
Professional activity: has worked at zahnarztzentrum.ch since 2007 and in Aarau as general dentist and clinic manager and since 2013 as Head of Operations/CO. Member of the Executive Board and responsible for large dental centers in German-speaking Switzerland.
Voluntary missions in countries with limited resources: Two missions with Swiss Doctors in the Philippines with the Rolling Clinic in Mindanao and Mindoro.
Dr Brigitte Weber
Board member
Studied medicine in Regensburg and Munich. Trained as specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics in Germany and England.
Professional activity: from 1986 as doctor in anaesthesia, emergency medicine and gynaecology/obstetrics, since 2002 in Switzerland as senior physician and head of department at the hospital in Obwalden. Retired since 2021.
Voluntary missions in countries with limited resources: since 1993, missions with German Doctors, Doctors Without Borders and other smaller NGOs in Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Chad, Philippines, Nepal, India.
Dr Christoph Niederberger
Board member / Treasurer
Studied medicine in Fribourg and Basel. Trained as specialist in general internal medicine FMH in various Swiss hospitals.
Professional activity: since 1995 working as general practitioner and family doctor in a group practice in Wil SG.
Voluntary missions in countries with limited resources: Between 2011 and 2017, a total of 5 missions with Swiss Doctors in the Philippines (Mindanao and Mindoro) and in Bangladesh (Dhaka).