The Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD) and the Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) have praised the “self-discipline and social solidarity shown by many citizens of Malta and Gozo in heeding the recommendations of the Public Health authorities in the national efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic, so that the livelihoods of families are preserved whilst the health services are not over-run.”

In a joint statement to mark World Family Doctor’s Day which is celebrated on the 19th of May, both Voluntary Organisations pointed out to the public that “family doctors have remained available to preserve the physical, social and psychological wellbeing of all citizens.”

The went on to say that, “within a vision of wellbeing family doctors and other primary care providers help to strengthen the health system and provide high quality and affordable care to all.”

“Family doctors were among the first to be involved in the efforts against Covid-19 whilst continuing to tackle all the other medical conditions which affect the health of those involved and their families,” said MCFD and APFD.

They stressed that they “did so by keeping their traditional approach centred around people, whilst embracing new technologies which emerged as fundamental tools for healthcare professionals to continue their mission.”

“Family doctors continue to provide ongoing support to patients and their communities, thus ensuring continuity of care over lifetime,” they said. “Continuity of care is one of the key pillars for a long healthy life.”

The MCFD and the APFD concluded by encouraging society in general to “discard the cliché return to normal promoted by some sectors and instead push and shove for a proper normal, where wellbeing is at the centre of future policies and actions.”

The Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD) is a Voluntary Organisation that “strives to improve the academic and clinical performance of specialists in family medicine (known as “it- tobba tal-familja” or “family doctors” or “general practitioners”) and the standards of primary health care in our country.”

The Association of Private Family Doctors (APFD) is a Voluntary Organisation (VO/1803) that “strives to improve family medicine and primary health care in our country on behalf of the private family doctors (known as “it-tobba tal-familja” or “general practitioners”) and their patients.”

World Family Doctor Day,19th May, was first declared by WONCA in 2010 and it has become a day to highlight the role and contribution of family doctors in health care systems around the world.

“The event is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the central role of our speciality in the delivery of personal, comprehensive and continuing health care for all of our patients. It is also a chance to celebrate the progress being made in family medicine and the special contributions of family doctors globally.” the MCFD and the APFD said.

WONCA is an acronym for the World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. WONCA’s short name is World Organisation of Family Doctors.

The Mission of WONCA is to improve the quality of life of the peoples of the world through defining and promoting its values, including respect for universal human rights and including gender equity, and by fostering high standards of care in general practice/family medicine.

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