FK-KMK UGM. FK-KMK UGM hosted the International Sharing Session “Three Countries, Three Journeys, One Aim for Family Medicine: Inspiring the Next Generation of Family Doctors,” which brought together family medicine experts from the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Held on Thursday (17/9) in a hybrid format at the FK-KMK UGM Auditorium and via Zoom Meeting, the event united three primary healthcare systems, each shaped by distinct histories, geographies, and challenges, yet converging on a single shared aspiration: nurturing resilient family doctors for the next generation.
The session opened with welcoming remarks from dr. Jean Li-Lim, Consultant Family Medicine Specialist at KK Sikamat, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. She emphasized that the day’s theme carried deep meaning, as it united three countries with different journeys but one common goal: developing family medicine that is responsive to community needs, grounded in evidence, and centered on whole-person and family-oriented care.
Echoing this sentiment, Prof. dr. Yodi Mahendradhata, M.Sc., Ph.D., FRSPH, Dean of FK-KMK UGM, extended a warm welcome to the speakers and participants. He noted that the session offered a valuable opportunity to learn from three countries and three different systems: Malaysia’s strong public primary care network offers rich experience in developing family medicine expertise, the UK contributes lessons from its long-established general practice system, while Indonesia presents both the opportunities and challenges of strengthening family medicine across a vast, diverse, and decentralized archipelago.
The sharing sessions featured four main speakers. dr. Jean Li-Lim and dr. Suriati Hasim, President of the Family Medicine Specialists’ Association of Negeri Sembilan, presented their respective journeys and the process of becoming family medicine specialists in Malaysia. From Scotland, Prof. David Weller, Professor and James Mackenzie Chair of General Practice at the University of Edinburgh, shared insights from decades of established family medicine practice in the UK. Meanwhile, dr. Fitriana Murriya Ekawati, Sp. KKLP, Head of the Family Medicine and Primary Care Study Program at UGM, explained how family medicine is practiced in Indonesia, complemented by a presentation from Dr. Wahyudi representing PDSKKI. The session concluded with an interactive discussion that allowed participants to explore the three countries’ perspectives more deeply.
Through this cross-country forum, FK-KMK UGM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-Being and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals. Such international collaboration is expected to strengthen primary healthcare systems and produce a new generation of family doctors ready to address future public health challenges. (Reporter: Balanca Qolta).
