This 2023 marks an important milestone in the annals of the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia (AFPM). It is our Golden Jubilee, a momentous occasion to reflect on the incredible journey of challenges and sacrifices by our great visionary leaders of the College of General Practitioners. This occasion provides a golden opportunity for each member including our staff to come together and celebrate the academy’s remarkable achievements over half a century.
Looking back at its illustrious history, the academy has made great strides in the field of primary care and research. It is time for all concerned to make renewed efforts to launch the academy further into an impressive future and thereby to look forward to its next promising 50 years to come.
Journey of the College of General Practitioners of Malaysia
From its inception on 14 March 1973, the College of General Practitioners has embarked on providing an extraordinary adult learning experience, setting new standards in the field of primary care. The college has evolved from a modest beginning under the umbrella of the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA), providing initially vocational training to general practitioners to a well-structured 4-year program through collaboration with local institutions and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
On 20 April 1995, the College of General Practitioners of Malaysia was registered as the AFPM with the Registrar of Society led by the then President Dato’ Paduka Dr Ruby Binti Abdul Majid.
His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullai, Raja of Perlis was the founder and Patron of the AFPM.1
In 1999, His Royal Highness Tuanku Syed Putra Ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullai’s son D.Y.M.M. Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Syed Putra Jamalulail Raja Negeri Perlis succeeded as the Patron of the AFPM. He was the Patron until 2003, after which His Royal Highness decided to step down. 1
On 20 January 2020, several members of the Executive Council, namely President Associate Professor Dato Dr Mohammad Husni Jamal, President-Elect Dr Wee Eng Chye, Honorary Secretary Dr S. Kaviyarasan a/l Sailin @ Stalin and Honorary Treasurer Dr Aishah Md Zain, were granted a royal audience with His Royal Highness D.Y.M.M. Yang DiPertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir at the Istana Hinggap in Seremban. With the kind assistance of our Honorary Fellow, Professor Dato Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, we sought the consideration of His Royal Highness to become our Patron. After the second audience on 5 March 2020, D.Y.M.M. Yang DiPertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir graciously accepted to be the Royal Patron of the AFPM.1
The AFPM has high international standing and is one of the founding members of the World Organization of National Colleges and Academies. It has a long-standing memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the RACGP to train and conduct conjoint membership examinations for general practitioners, leading to the MAFP/FRACGP/icFRACGP examination. This MAFP/ FRACGP/icFRACGP award is registrable with the National Specialist Register and is the only internationally recognised qualification in family medicine in Malaysia. The academy has established a good and strong relationship with ASEAN sister colleges through an informal partnership called the ASEAN Regional Primary Care Group.1
The AFPM’s primary objectives are as follows:
To advance the art and science of medicine for the general benefit of humankind, irrespective of race, creed or religion;
To promote and maintain high standards of medical practice and, to this end, to establish an agency for quality in healthcare and
To encourage and assist research into medical, scientific and allied subjects and, to this end, to establish an agency for research in healthcare.
The vision is as follows:
To promote high-quality clinical practice, education and research for Malaysian general practice.
The mission is as follows:
To improve the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities in Malaysia;
To support our members in their pursuit of clinical excellence and
To promote the concept of ‘One Family, One Doctor’.
History of general practitioners
‘A generation which ignores history has no past and no future’. — Robert Heinlein, American author (1907—1988)
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Origins of general practitioners
From a historical perspective, the roots of the general practice of medicine date back to 1600, when many practitioners who practised as apothecaries referred to themselves as general practitioners. Apothecaries were practitioners who learned their profession as apprentices. They dispensed herbal potions and were involved in surgical procedures. In 1617, the Society of Apothecaries was officially formed.2,3
The term ‘general practitioners’ was first formally used in December 1844 with the formation of the National Association of General Practitioners in Medicine, Surgery and Midwifery in England. This laid the foundation for establishing the Royal College of General Practitioners in 1952.
In 1815, England adopted the Apothecaries Act. This act provided the Society of Apothecaries the right to examine and license apothecaries. Many barber surgeons, who were practising as general practitioners, also sought and obtained this licensure. In 1840 in England, about one third of all apothecaries and barber surgeons practising as general practitioners had this licensure.2,3
The English traditions established for the training and practice of general practitioners were carried over to other parts of the world including Malaysia.
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History of general practitioners in Malaysia
Many medical professionals including specialists from the public sector left for lucrative private practice after completing their training in the later part of the 19 th century.4 Private practitioners provided the bulk of general practice care. Primary healthcare professionals played a vital role in delivering comprehensive and cost-effective medical care to all citizens. However, the reality of general practice did not quite match the ideal envisioned. Many doctors who completed their compulsory government service continued to leave to set up their own practice without any formal specialist training in family medicine. Only a minority worked as trained specialist general practitioners.4
During this era, the market for private clinics in large urban centres began to become saturated. Entry into general practice reached all-time low, and new medical graduates were drawn to hospital-based specialisation and sub-specialisation.4
The economic burden of the country increased, and the community soon realised the lack of old-fashioned family doctors who provided personalised care. The surge in interest in general practice emerged in response to community demand, higher educational standards, changing disease patterns and increasing hospital healthcare costs.
In the 1960s, it was recognised that general practitioners needed to acquire a set of knowledge specific to their needs.
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Evolution of the College of General Practitioners of Malaysia
In 1963, a group of like-minded general practitioners of the MMA conceived the idea of establishing a college, while the Private Medical Practitioners’ Societies in Penang and Perak continued to provide continuing medical education.5
Dr R. Sathiah, the President of the MMA in 1963, then studied the report by Dr P.T. Arasu, who attended a convention organised by the RACGP in Sydney. He mooted the idea of structured training for general practitioners, which laid the foundation for the setting of the college later.5
In 1968, the MMA Council appointed the Hui committee to study the feasibility of establishing a general practitioner college in Malaysia. The committee was given the green light to liaise with the Australian College of General Practitioners to set up one in Malaysia.5
The Hui committee included the following members:
Dr Hui Weng Choon — Chairman
Dr P.T. Arasu
Dr J.B.A. Peter
Dr Francis Ho
Dr Tan Chee Khoon
Dr Chin Kui Sang
The Hui committee reported, ‘it is desirable for Malaysia to have its own College of General Practitioners and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners [to] assist in setting up the Malaysian College’.5
In 1972, the MMA Council established another committee to study the feasibility of setting up a college of general practitioners in Malaysia. Dr Tan Chee Khoon was invited to chair the committee, but he could not because of his political involvement, so the mantle fell on Dr Sathiah.5
The Sathiah committee consisted of the following members:
Tan Sri Dr Sathiah — Chairman
Dr S. Param Palam — Secretary
Dr T. Sachithanandan
Dr K.S. Das
Datuk P.T. Arasu
Dr Pius Martin
Dr Chan Jee Swee
The Sathiah committee immediately prepared the draft constitution of the proposed setup of the College of General Practitioners. The Malaysian Medical Association Council approved the draft and sent it to the Registrar of Society for approval and registration. However, the Registrar of Society did not approve the draft in view of the Emergency Higher Ordinance Act of 1969, which prohibited the setting of colleges and universities without the approval of the Minister of Education. Dr Sathiah did not give up and walked the corridor of powers numerous times until the government set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Minister of Education in 1973 to study the application to set up the College of General Practitioners. Finally, on the recommendation of the committee, the government decided the Malaysian College of General Practitioners, College of Surgeons and College of Physicians be set up by an act of Parliament.5
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Establishment of the College of General Practitioners
On 14 March 1973, the government authorised the College of General Practitioners to function under the Societies Ordinance. The college was initially located on the 5 th floor of the MMA building at No. 124, Jalan Pahang, Titiwangsa Sentral, 53000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur opposite Hospital Kuala Lumpur.5
On 29 March 1973, the College of General Practitioners had its first council meeting with the following motto: ‘Progress in Medical Science and Cum Scientia Caritas’ (Scientia Caritas — Science with compassion).
The first council included the following members:
Tan Sri Dr Sathiah — President
Dr S. Param Palam - Honorary Secretary
Dr M.K. Raj akumar - Honorary Treasurer
Dr Rajah Ram — Censor-in-Chief
Dr Tan Tiong Hong
Dr K.S. Dass
Datuk Dr P.T. Arasu
Dr Pius Martin
Dr Syed Mahmood Bin Syed Hussain
Dr Chan Jee Swee
Dr Chong Yew Chong
The General Practitioner Society representatives were as follows:
Datuk A.W.E. Moreira — Perak
Dr Ronnie Ooi Oon Seng — Penang
Dr Chong Kim Choy — N. Sembilan
Dr Hui Weng Choon — Selangor
The following tasks were set at the first meeting:
Publicise its constitution;
Publish a journal on family medicine;
Admit founding members, ordinary members and associate members;
Participate in the joint conference of Australia, Singapore and Malaysia;
Liaise with the University Malaya Medical Faculty to organise continuous medical education for general practitioners;
Implement as many objectives of the college as possible before the first annual general meeting and
Meet every month, and build a lasting relationship with the RACGP and Singapore College of General Practitioners to maintain common standards of practice.
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Training of general practitioners as specialists
Dr M.K. Rajakumar stressed the need for a new breed of trained general practitioners or family physicians with specific knowledge and skills, as much-sought general physicians and general surgeons became involved in the technologies of sub-specialties, while familiar family doctors lost their splendour.6
As the modern world devoured much of its resources in sub-specialty training, there was a hiatus in primary care. The changing trends in disease patterns, pandemics and newly emerging diseases; an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases; a growing aging population and increased demand and over-reliance on curative care strained the healthcare system. The government was unable to meet healthcare demands, drained by increasing healthcare costs and lack of funding, manpower and access to evolving technologies. The need to reform primary healthcare in the face of new challenges and to provide an equitable, sustainable and resilient system became more apparent and urgent.
The importance of general practice dawned, and the need for more trained specialists in the field of primary care became evident, resulting in the revival of general practice and family medicine much more now than ever before.6
The Ministry of Health (MoH) realised that vocationally trained family doctors at the community level would be an ideal solution. This resulted in formalised family medicine training programmes for current and future general practitioners and other primary care providers.6
In 1978, the Council of the College of General Practitioners appointed a committee to look into the content of vocational training and postgraduate diplomate examination. In the same year, the College of General Practitioners started a supervised part-time training programme for private doctors. The vision of the specialty was encapsulated in the report by the late Dr M.K. Rajakumar entitled ‘Specialisation in Primary Health Care, Training for the New General Practice in Malaysia.’6
The vocational training programme for the preparation for the Membership of the College of General Practitioners (MCGP)/FRACGP examination was deemed the crown jewel of the AFPM. The programme was a 2-year training programme. However, many attempts to obtain recognition as a postgraduate qualification by the Ministry of Education and the MoH had been in vain.1
In 1979, the first postgraduate examination in general practice/family medicine in Malaysia was held, leading to the award of the MCGP. External examiners from the RACGP and from our local universities were invited to the MCGP examination. The first chief censor was the late A.W.E. Moreira, and the first chief examiner was Dr R. Balasundaram. With their satisfaction with the MCGP examination, the RACGP examiners suggested a conjoint MCGP/FRACGP examination.1
On 19 November 1981, both colleges signed an MOU to hold the 1st conjoint examination.
Dr Paddy Finnegan, Dr Wess Fab and Dr David Game were the external examiners from the RACGP in 1982. Since then, the college has been holding the examination conjointly with the RACGP, leading to the award of the MCGP/FRACGP, which has been renamed as the MAFP/ FRACGP. This examination is held yearly in Malaysia and is externally validated by the active participation of the examiners from the RACGP.1
In the early years, the academy promoted many short courses to enhance the skills and management of family doctors in addition to the MCGP programme.1
In 1982, the college started a 1-year course for a diploma in reproductive medicine in collaboration with the National Population and Family Development Board, Malaysia, and John Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics, USA. Associate professor Dr S. Raman was appointed as the course director. In 1983, a genito-urinary medicine course was started, and in 1987, an occupational medicine course was initiated by Dr Gan Ain Tian.1
In 1989, the college started a course in dermatology in general practice. Dr Ganesapillai was appointed as the course director.1
In 1989, an MOU was signed with the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songla University for a course in sexually transmitted diseases and as a part of the training for a diploma in sexually transmitted diseases.1
In 1991, a primary care ultrasound course was started, and one representative from the college was sent to Geneva as one of the panels of seven contributors to the World Health Organization Manual of Ultrasonography. Dr Frank Tan Eng Huat was appointed as the course director.
In April 1992, a 6-month course in the management of eye diseases in collaboration with Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital was started. Dr Pall Singh was the course director. Subsequently, many more short courses were commenced.1
In 1994, Medi-Link was launched, laying the foundation for an online learning platform.
The vocational training programme for general practice developed from experimental beginnings gained momentum and became established nationwide. As the number of candidates increased over the years, the old-fashioned hard copies of postal modules became irrelevant in the era of information technology, which became the instructional delivery tool for carrying out various learning activities including formal programmes and online learning programmes. The college realised the need to evolve and adapt to the rapidly progressing world of teaching. To date, we have implemented innovations and designs, delivering state-of-the-art learning experiences that integrate life, work and learning continually, regardless of physical location, for all primary care doctors in Malaysia.
In 2002, the Council of Academy approved the formation of a chapter of mentors and later a chapter of teachers.
In 2008, MEDIBASE Sdn Bhd took charge of the implementation and delivery of all courses. MEDIBASE forms its own administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of e-learning education courses and training programmes.1
The final impetus of transitioning from a 2-year programme to a 4-year programme equivalent to the master’s programme was received well by the MoH. Accordingly, the suggestion by Professor Datuk D.M. Thuraiappah to create a 2-year programme for a diploma in family medicine to facilitate the achievement of the qualification for entry into general practice among all general practitioners was well received.1
In 2009, the AFPM started a well-structured 4-year programme, which was conducted in two stages. The first 2 years of the programme culminated in the award of the Diploma in Family Medicine (later renamed as the Graduate Certificate in Family Medicine). The next 2 years was the Vocational Training Programme, which was later renamed as the Advanced Training in Family Medicine (ATFM) Programme, leading to the Conjoint MAFP/FRACGP Examination. MEDIBASE Sdn Bhd, the training company of the AFPM, was responsible for providing online medical education.1
In the same year, MEDIBASE signed an MOU with OPEN University to provide an e-learning platform at an annual fee of RM 60,000. The MOU was signed by Professor Datuk Dr D.M. Thuraiappah, who was appointed as the director of MEDIBASE.
In 2011, the AFPM invited iPraxis Sdn Bhd (IPSB), an e-learning solution provider, to incorporate an e-learning module system (LMS), software and education management and online learning system into one solution that is scalable and customizable for discussion.
An e-LMS service level agreement between iPraxis and the AFPM was signed by Dr Sudha Nanthan on behalf of the AFPM and Thiyagasunther on behalf of iPraxis at an annual premium of RM 150,000.
On 6 December 2011, the MoH recognised the MAFP/FRACGP fellowship holders as specialists in family medicine. In general, MAFP/FRACGP holders must undergo 18 months of credentialing process under a family medicine specialist at a designated Klinik Kesihatan to be listed under the National Specialist Register.1
In 2012, the AFPM formed Asia Mediprax Sdn Bhd (AMSB), a joint venture company with iPraxis, after the introduction of the e-LMS.
In 2013, AMSB was incorporated. The founding directors of the AFPM included Dr Sudha Nanthan Kanthasamy, Dr Kaviyarasan Sailin @ Stalin and Dr Sivashanmuganathan Sagathavan. In the same year, iPraxis agreed to sell 1 unit of e-LMS and EMS licences to AMSB and purchase 1 unit of IPSB e-LMS and EMS licences to integrate student and education management and online learning solutions at the 4th AMSB meeting.
In 2016, the Diploma in Family Medicine was renamed as the Graduate Certificate in Family Medicine following accreditation by Malaysia Quality Assurance. Datin Professor Chia Yook Chin was appointed as the director of the Diploma in Family Medicine. In the same year, the AFPM signed a 3-year contract agreement with Access Dunia Sdn Bhd to provide Blackboard Moodle rooms as an e-LMS platform for 1500 users at USD 24,500 per annum, while AMSB was dissolved.
On 11 October 2018, an MOU was signed between the RACGP and AFPM after a successful re-accreditation of the conjoint programme. The MOU was signed by Dr Nespolon, President of the RACGP, and Dr Harbaksh Singh, President of the AFPM.1
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Journal of the College of General Practitioners of Malaysia
On 1 November 1973, the first journal — Family Practitioner — was published by the College of General Practitioners.1
In 1989, it was renamed as the Family Physician. In 2006, it was renamed as Malaysian Family Physician and published by the Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia.1
Past editors
Family Practitioner (1973—1988)
Dr Tan Tiong Hong (1973—1976)
Dr James Lau (1977—1979)
Dr Ho Tak Ming and Abed Bin Onn (1981—1989)
Family Physician (1989—2005)
Dr Ho Tak Ming (1989—1992)
Dr Shajahan Mohd Yassin (1993—1995)
Dr R. Krishnan (1995—1997)
Dr Kwa Siew Kim (2000—2001)
Dr Yong Rafidah (2003)
A/Prof Dr Khoo Ee Ming (2004—2005)
A/Prof Dr Teng Cheong Lieng (2005)
Malaysian Family Physician (2006—2020)
Prof Dr Teng Cheong Lieng (2005-2012)
Prof Dr Ng Chirk Jenn (2012-2015)
Prof Dr Liew Su-May (2016-2020)
Prof Dr Lee Ping Yein (2020-current)
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History of the land and building
In 1977, a piece of land of 13,297 m2 (P.N. 1769, Lot No. 131, Section 86A, Town of Kuala Lumpur, District of Wilayah Persekutuan) was alienated by the government to the College of Physicians of Malaysia, College of Surgeons of Malaysia and College of General Practitioners of Malaysia (re-registered as the AFPM).1
The College of Physicians of Malaysia and College of Surgeons of Malaysia had a two-third stake in the land, while the College of General Practitioners of Malaysia owned the remaining one third.
Over the years, there were four acquisitions by the government - in 1989, 1993 and 2007 for the expansion of the Jalan Pahang roundabout and in 2014 for the building of the Duke II Highway.
In 2005, all stakeholders decided to come together to develop the land for the use of the medical profession, and a joint venture agreement to this effect was signed in 2006. The SQA builders were selected as the main contractor of the project via a tender exercise. The building was completed in 2009 and was fully functional since 2010.
In 2010, the AFPM and Academy of Medicine of Malaysia moved into the newly completed academy building at Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur.
It was a great accomplishment for the medical profession to come together to put up this iconic purpose-built building. The AFPM was located on the 4th floor of the new building.
The stay at the new academy building was short-lived. The academies and colleges received a notice dated 26 May 2016 from the Land Administrator, Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur, for the compulsory acquisition of the land under the Land Acquisition Act of 1960 (Act 486), Section 10. The academies, colleges and office suite owners and occupants were informed to leave the building by the end of December 2016.
In November 2016, the academies received compensation amounting to RM 83.348 million.
An appeal was made to the related ministry, but unfortunately, it was unsuccessful. Thus, the academies accepted the compensation and prepared for relocation in 2017.
In May 2017, all academies relocated to rented premises at Units 1-5, Level 1 Enterprise 3B Technology Park Malaysia (Jalan Innovasi 1 Lebuhraya Puchong-Sungai Besi Bukit Jalil Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). In the same year, the Joint Academy Development Committee (JADC) was formed with representatives from the Academy of Medicine of Malaysia and AFPM to look for a suitable plot of land to build the future academy building. After many meetings and discussions, the JADC shortlisted and recommended three plots of land at Putrajaya in 2018.
In 2019, the academies unanimously selected Plot 8C7 located at Precinct 8 to put up an iconic academy building, and in 2020, construction work for the new academy building commenced. The project is expected to be completed in the 3rd quarter of 2023, and we are expected to move in the 1st quarter of 2024.
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Malaysian Primary Care Research Group (MPCRG)
The MPCRG was formed in September 2004 to create awareness and interest in research among primary healthcare professionals and to assist candidates in the ATFM to complete their research project. It is hoped that through research, the quality of care would improve based on sound evidence from local data.
Since 2016, the AFPM has allocated RM 20,000 for ATFM trainee grants and RM 100,000 for AFPM primary care research grants annually. The ATFM trainee grant is open only to trainees enrolled in the ATFM RQI Module, while the AFPM primary care research grant is a competitive grant open to all AFPM members.
The MPCRG founding members in 2004 were as follows:
Professor Dr Teng Cheong Lieng — Chairman
Professor Dr Ng Chirk Jenn
Professor Dr Tong Seng Fah
Professor Dr Khoo Ee Ming
Professor Dr Sherina Mohd Sidik
Dr Zailinawati Abu Hassan
Dr Kamil Ariff
Dr Chen Wei Seng
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Quality Primary Care Sdn Bhd
In 2002, an initial dialogue between the MoH and AFPM regarding the quality of primary care took place to ensure that the quality of care given in general practice is of a high standard, excellent and one that is accessible, appropriate, effective, efficient, integrated, patient-centred and safe through a well-structured quality improvement programme for its members. Dr M.K. Rajakumar of the AFPM suggested the formation of a company to look into the quality of primary care and to appoint one director each from the AFPM, Malaysian Medical Association and MoH. On 27 January 2004, Quality Primary Care Sdn Bhd was incorporated. The founding directors were Professor Datuk Dr D.M. Thuraiappah and Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Husni Bin Jamal.1
Quality Primary Care Sdn Bhd is a wholly owned subsidiary of the AFPM. The programme is vetted and endorsed by the RACGP. Its objectives are as follows:
To register all primary care clinics in Malaysia in accordance with the Private Healthcare Facilities Act of 1998;
To accredit the medical practice and credentials of medical practitioners in Malaysia and
To set and monitor healthcare standards and systems for medical practitioners and medical practice.
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COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
In December 2019, COVID-19 rapidly started to spread worldwide. The virus ravaged the lives of millions of people across the world, and the next 2 years had gone down in the history as one of the worst in the decade owing to many aspects. The COVID-19 pandemic was a turbulent era not only locally but also globally, which yielded lessons to face and overcome multiple challenges.
The world had to adapt to a new norm, and the Conjoint MAFP/FRACGP Examination had to be postponed. In 2020, the Conjoint MAFP/FRACGP Examination was renamed as the MAFP/icFRACGP Examination (ic denotes international conjoint).
For the first time in history, the 48th Annual General Meeting of the AFPM was held virtually on 11 April 2021, and part 2 of the Conjoint MAFP/FRACGP/icFRACGP Examination was conducted as a virtually remote clinical examination in September 2021. The academy learned to adapt to the new normal without compromising the teaching quality and the desired learning outcomes for our students. As we resume face-to-face teaching, we are now well prepared to handle future pandemics and to adapt to the changes accordingly.
In 2021, the Academy Information Management System was implemented, and the academy’s Employee Handbook was launched.
In 2022 AFPM signed an MOU with Yahasan Penaraju. Yayasan Peneraju, an initiative by the government to strengthen the development of Bumiputera capabilities globally and continuously, to improve the quality, quantity and effectiveness of Bumiputera talents in line with efforts to upgrade Malaysia towards a high-income country through academic education, professional and vocational certification.
The same year the government introduces scholarships for a parallel pathway to do specialization through Hadiah Latihan Persekutuan (HLP) and begins to send government doctors to be trained in the field of family medicine to AFPM.
Medical Academies Building construction at Putrajaya delayed by covid-19 lockdown is due for completion in the 3rd quarter of 2023.
In 2023 RACGP grants the re-accreditation of the MAFP/ic FRACGP program for a period of 3 years. This accreditation is valid until 31st October 2025. AFPM is to continue to deliver the medical training program in general practice.
Taken together, the College of General Practitioners has a long and prestigious history that predates the development of most specialties and areas of practice in medicine and surgery today. Its dedication to promoting the highest standards of medical care has benefited many and inspired generations of excellent primary care professionals.
General practice has evolved through training and education in family medicine and is now recognised as a specialty on par with other specialties. It has undergone tremendous transformation over the past century, driven by many changes globally in improving and delivering quality patient care.
We had an incredible past. I would like to recognise the dedication, sacrifice and vision of the founding fathers who came before us and acknowledge their achievements and accomplishments. They are a reminder of the foundation on which the institution has been built and the many challenges that have been overcome to reach its current position.
‘Resplendent present’ celebrates the current state of the institution, acknowledging its current strengths and accomplishments. It is an opportunity to reflect on the successes in recent years and to celebrate the hard work and dedication of those who are currently contributing to the institution’s ongoing success.
Finally,‘envisioned promising future’ looks ahead to the possibilities and potentials of the future. It encourages us to think about the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and to imagine how the institution might continue to grow and evolve to meet these challenges.
Let the new generation continue the legacy into the new frontier.
References
- 1.Academy of Family Physician Malaysia Coffee-Table Book
- 2.Loudon IS. James Mackenzie Lecture. The origin of the general practitioner. JR Coll Gen Pract. 1983;33(246):13–23. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.American Academy of General Physicians. Origins of general practice. [Jun 14; 2023 ]. https://aagp-academy.org/origins-of-general-pratice [Google Scholar]
- 4.Lim KG. The History of Medicine and Health in Malaysia. Petaling Jaya: Lim Kean Ghee. 2016 [Google Scholar]
- 5.Palam P. Founding of College of General Practitioners of Malaysia. Family Practitioner. 1973;1(1):9–12. [Google Scholar]
- 6.Teng CL, Khoo EM, Ng CJ, editors. Family Medicine, Healthcare & Society: Essays By Dr M K Rajakumar. Second Edition. Kuala Lumpur: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia; 2019. [Google Scholar]