Student forum for WONCA APR Conference 2026
By Marie Dominique Calizo
Photos by Jasmine Marie Villanueva and Jethro Lopez
Vital Signs Publication, West Visayas State University - College of Medicine
West Visayas State University - College of Medicine (WVSU-COM) hosted the WONCA APR Conference 2026 Pre-Event Student Forum on March 24, 2026, at the COM Auditorium, bringing together WONCA world executives, Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) doctors and guests, and medical students from Central Philippine University - College of Medicine and WVSU-COM for “The Heart of Primary Care: A Panel Discussion and Exchange.”
Organized through the joint efforts of the Asian Medical Students’ Association - West Visayas State University (AMSA-WVSU) and Vital Signs Publication, the forum aimed to open dialogue between global health leaders and young Filipino future physicians on advancing primary care, highlighting its role in improving health outcomes for families and communities, and encouraging students to strengthen their understanding of primary care systems and community health initiatives in context.
The event featured two lecturettes delivered by Dr. Karen Flegg, WONCA World Past President, and Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, WONCA World President. This was followed by a student-led panel discussion moderated by Chloe Reynaldo, a second-year WVSU-COM student, with Dr. Brian Chang, WONCA Asia Pacific President, joining as the third panelist. Questions gathered before the event were tackled during the discussion, while students from all three year levels of WVSU-COM, the WestMed Track, and delegates from CPU-College of Medicine actively participated in the exchange.
Among the highlights of the forum was Dr. Flegg’s lecture on the global perspective of primary care and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). She emphasized that achieving UHC remains central to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being, noting that investing in primary healthcare is both sustainable and closely linked to broader global and environmental issues. She also accentuated the five Cs of primary care: contact, continuity, comprehensiveness, coordination, and people-centered care.
Meanwhile, Dr. Martinez-Bianchi centered her talk on addressing the root causes of illness, sharing the story of a patient named Francisco from Cuba. The case paralleled WVSU-COM’s own case of Nong Pedro, both underscoring that in healing communities requires listening closely to patients and understanding the deeper causes of their health concerns. She also introduced the concept of social prescribing, which involves understanding a patient’s values and lived context in order to create more appropriate and feasible health plans.
“No matter where you are, remember ‘root causes’ cultivate empathy, respect, compassion. Never lose sight of this profound responsibility of being a doctor,” said Dr. Martinez-Bianchi, reminding future physicians to remain compassionate, curious, and committed to advocating for patients, especially those who are often overlooked or unheard.
During the student-led panel, Dr. Chang likewise emphasized the role of young people in shaping healthcare, telling the audience that “you are the present of innovation.” He underscored the important role of each member of the next generation of physicians, while reminding them that it comes from the willingness to learn continously, engaging with people constantly, and remaining curious by always asking questions.
The event was also attended by other WONCA global executives and conference leaders, including Dr. Kim Yu, Dr. Harris Lygidakis, Dr. Ping Foo Wong, Dr. Leilanie Apostol-Nicodemus, Dr. Maria Elinore A. Concha, and Dr. Kenneth Domasian. In total, the forum gathered around 100 attendees from various year levels and student organizations of WVSU-COM and CPU-College of Medicine.
Through the activity, WONCA hoped to inspire and empower the next generation of health leaders and advocates. The forum also reflected the core values of WVSU-COM—Excellence, Leadership, Compassion, Integrity, and Service Orientation—in its continuing commitment to form physicians who advocate for the health needs of all.
Additional Photos may be found on the WVSU Vital Signs Publication Facebook Page.