The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) Committee on Advocacy held a workshop that was attended by representatives of the subspecialty societies and chapters. Conducted on November 9, 2019 at the Discovery Suites, the workshop aimed to give participants a deeper appreciation of the PCP’s advocacy work and help them understand the elements of advocacy and how to effect social change.
Representing the Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG) in the workshop, Dr. Teresita Cabreira presented the society’s main advocacy on colorectal cancer (CRC), highlighting the burden of disease and the importance of screening. She mentioned the PSG’s recent engagement with the Department of Health regarding CRC mass screening, scientific programs for doctors, lay lectures, CRC screening and community colonoscopy programs, and media activities. Dr. Cabreira also showed a video on CRC, which was created with the support of a pharmaceutical company.
Workshop participants from different subspecialties and chapters saw the opportunity to collaborate in overlapping programs. The inspiring workshop galvanized the participants to “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world… indeed, it is the only thing that ever does.”
SUBMITTED BY:
MA. TERESITA Z. CABREIRA, MD