Happy World Family Doctor Day 2025 to everyone! I would like to say a big THANK YOU and congratulations to all the family doctors in Hong Kong and around the world! You have done a good job and please keep it up!

The World Family Doctor Day (WFDD), that is 19th May every year, was first declared by World Organisation of Family Doctors (WONCA) in 2010 and it has become a day to highlight the important role and contributions of family doctors in health care systems around the world.

The Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP), in collaboration with the Primary Healthcare Commission, have successful held the World Family Doctor Day 2025 Symposium on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Building. Under the inspiring theme “Building Mental Resilience in a Changing World,” the event served to celebrate the pivotal role family doctors play in nurturing mental health and resilience in this rapidly changing world.

After my opening remarks, we were most honoured to have welcome addresses delivered by Dr. Libby HY LEE, Under Secretary for Health, and Professor Margaret CHAN, Emeritus Director-General of the WHO. Both VIPs underscored the indispensable contributions of family doctors, whose holistic, patient-centered care forms the cornerstone of community health. Their remarks set an uplifting tone for the day, emphasising mental health as a fundamental component of modern healthcare. Immediately following the welcome remarks, twenty-five family doctors were awarded certificates of appreciation for their contributions towards the Chronic Disease CoCare (CDCC) Pilot Scheme.

We were also honoured to welcome VIP guests, including Deputy Director of Health Dr. Teresa LI, as well as representatives from the Department of Health, Hospital Authority, various Academy Colleges, and medical and health organisations. Additionally, we received a supporting letter from Dr. Lam Ching Choi, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, recognising the
crucial role of family doctors in improving mental health and fostering positive societal change. Dr. Lam emphasised that through multidisciplinary collaboration and active community engagement, we can collectively cultivate a more supportive and inclusive social environment, empowering individuals to build resilience in an ever-changing world.

An esteemed lineup of speakers shared with us on various aspects of Family Medicine related developments, including Professor Philip KT LI, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Professor Donald KT LI, Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Professor ZHU Shan Zhu, President of the General Medicine Branch of the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association, and Dr. PANG Fei Chau, Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, Health Bureau. These experts explored critical topics ranging from the evolving role of family doctors in Sports and Exercise Medicine and innovative strategies for enhancing elderly care, to sharing perspectives on community health services in Shanghai. Furthermore, updates on the expansion of the Chronic Disease CoCare (CDCC) Pilot Scheme offered valuable insights on integrating comprehensive care models to primary healthcare.

In the concluding remarks, I expressed our sincere gratitude towards all VIP speakers and participants. I also reaffirmed HKCFP’s commitment to the empowering philosophy that, ”Everyone should have a Family Doctor”, which is in line with the Primary Healthcare Blueprint. In addition, I emphasised that family doctors are uniquely positioned to deliver early interventions by addressing physical, emotional, and social needs across every life stage—a cornerstone for building resilient communities. In support of the Blueprint’s recommendations, the HKCFP is urging policymakers to allocate resources for at least 100 additional Family Medicine training positions annually, addressing the needs of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million residents and paving the way for a more resilient and patient-centered healthcare system. I then reiterated HKCFP's strong commitments on providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) activities for practising doctors in the community.

The symposium not only celebrated the service and commitment of family doctors but also set a forward thinking agenda designed to reinforce community mental health care. By championing the Primary Healthcare Blueprint and advocating for expanded training and resource allocation, the HKCFP continues to drive progress towards innovative healthcare solutions that serve the evolving needs of our society.