THE Philippine Academy of Family Physicians Negros Occidental Chapter with the Department of Family and Community Medicine of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) and Bacolod Adventist Medical Center-Bacolod celebrated the World Family Doctor Day on May 20, Saturday, in Bacolod City.

The celebration was anchored on a theme: "Family Doctors: The Heart of Healthcare."

Dr. Milagros Amarra, Dr. Eirene Ayalin, and the PAFP officers and members joind the occasion together with Dr. Rosa Gamboa, one of the longtime member of the association also graced the occasion. Meanwhile, Dr. Aileen Espina joined virtually.

The celebration started with a motorcade from the Bacolod Government Center grounds to various streets in the city which ended up at Maria Kusina in Mandalagan for a short program.

Dr. Marian Joyce Co discussed Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) in her talk on Chronic Kidney Disease: Reinforcing CKD Management from Prevention to Treatment.

The program also paid tribute to Dr. Ma. Luz Ma-apni as well as awarded the New CFP and Diplomates led by Dr. Amara, Dr. Ayalin. Dr. Ian Jun Querubin who delivered the closing remarks.

“We would like to thank everybody especially Dr. Ayalin for her tireless effort in dealing with success and all of you who came over to participate in this celebration. Since the Universal Health Care is about to be implemented in few years time, you will be the frontliners of all the Specialties,” Dr. Milagros Amarra said.

“Before they can go through the specialties, they will pass through you. So, you are going to be the most important member of the medical community. The World Family Doctor Day is a celebration of your power and your importance in the medical community all over the world even if you go in other countries abroad, you are important,” she added.

They also extended their gratitude to Dr. Aileen Espina for gracing the celebration with her virtual presence to enlighten the members with the Universal Healthcare Law and Dr. Marian Joyce Co for sharing her diabetes expertise for primary care providers.

"We also would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the family of Dr. Luz Ma-apni for joining us in celebration of Dr. Ma-apni's life dedicated to the service of healthcare," Dr. Amarra said.