Guido A. Zäch, the medical architect who transformed the treatment of spinal cord injuries in Switzerland and served in the national parliament, died Feb. 16, 2026. He was 90. Zäch passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.
After studying medicine at the Universities of Fribourg and Basel, he dedicated his work to improving the lives of people with paralysis. This focus stemmed from a teenage diving accident that nearly left him paralyzed. In 1975, he founded the Swiss Paraplegic Foundation and later opened the Swiss Paraplegic Center in Nottwil. This facility became a global model for comprehensive care, integrating medical treatment with social and professional reintegration.
His influence extended into Swiss governance as a member of the Christian Democratic People's Party. He served in the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt before his election to the National Council in 1999. During his time as a politician, he advocated for healthcare reform and disability rights. Swiss news reports noted that his later career faced scrutiny when he was convicted of financial mismanagement related to foundation funds, resulting in a suspended sentence in 2005.
Zäch withdrew from formal leadership in 2007 following the conclusion of his legal cases. He spent his final years in Switzerland as the Nottwil center grew into one of the largest specialized clinics in the world. The clinical systems he established in the 20th century persist as the primary framework for spinal cord injury recovery in Switzerland.