The only woman—and the only Filipino—recognised at the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Awards, Dr Bernadette Madrid was described by RMA Foundation Chair Aurelio Montinola III as a person who has taken the lead in providing medical, legal and psychosocial care to women and children surviving the physical and emotional impact of abuse.

As the head of the Child Protection Unit at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH-CPU), Dr Madrid tirelessly champions the rights of the most vulnerable sector in society by integrating child protection measures into the Philippine paediatric health system.

Since Madrid joined the unit in 1996, it has addressed the physical and mental health needs of nearly 30,000 abused children while extending legal and social assistance to their families.

The RAM Foundation isn’t the only organisation which has recognised Madrid’s work. In 2012, she received the Outstanding Service Award in Child Protective Services from the National Children’s Advocacy Centre in the United States. She also received the Philippine Paediatric Society’s award for the Most Outstanding Paediatrician in September last year.