Madinah Secures World Health Organization's 'Healthy City' Certification
Madinah, the second-largest city in the Middle East to be recognised as a healthy city by the World Health Organization (WHO), has once again been accredited as a "healthy city." This renewed status comes after the city met 80 health-related standards across nine core areas, as reported by Leaders MENA Magazine.
The WHO's accreditation ceremony took place on Thursday, with Prince Salman bin Sultan, governor of Madinah region, receiving the certificate. The city's recognition is based on its commitment to public participation, local development, inter-sectoral collaboration, access to community information, water and sanitation, food safety, healthcare promotion, emergency readiness, and education.
Specific initiatives contributing to Madinah's recognition include supporting small loans and local economic growth to foster healthy lifestyles and sustainability, as well as the development of parks, walking areas, and the promotion of health through primary care centers and schools.
The city's transformation aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, focusing on people-centric urban development, sustainable living, and enhancing quality of life. The collaboration among government bodies and civil society, alongside efforts to improve preventive healthcare and urban health transformation, underpin Madinah’s status as a regional and international development model.
In addition to Madinah, the WHO has recognised 14 other healthy cities in Saudi Arabia. These include Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jalajel, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khubra, and Sharurah, as reported by Leaders MENA Magazine. The WHO's accreditation of these cities demonstrates the Kingdom's commitment to improving the quality of life in urban centers.
Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel presented the WHO accreditation certificate to the 15 healthy cities in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's journey towards a healthier future. Prince Salman highlighted Madinah's ongoing transformation as a leading development model regionally and internationally, emphasising the city's role as a beacon of health and wellness in the region.
[1] Leaders MENA Magazine. (n.d.). Saudi Arabia's 15 Healthy Cities: A Testament to Vision 2030. Retrieved from [insert link] [2] World Health Organization. (n.d.). Criteria for Healthy Cities. Retrieved from [insert link] [3] Saudi Press Agency. (n.d.). Madinah Renews WHO Healthy City Accreditation. Retrieved from [insert link]
- The city of Madinah, located in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia, is one of the 15 cities in the Kingdom recognized as a healthy city by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- These accreditations are based on each city's commitment to various health-related standards across core areas such as public participation, local development, and access to community information.
- In addition to fostering healthy lifestyles through supporting small loans and local economic growth, Madinah has also developed parks, walking areas, and implemented health promotions through primary care centers and schools.
- The WHO accreditation of these healthy cities demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improving the quality of life in urban centers, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 objectives.
- The news of these accreditations was reported by Leaders MENA Magazine, highlighting the ongoing efforts in health, science, health-and-wellness, and fitness-and-exercise sectors in these cities.
