Sharjah shares its ‘success formula’ with other GCC countries to become healthy cities

Sharjah, the healthiest city in the Middle East and Africa region with an impressive score of 88% as per the World Health Organization (WHO) is now spreading the knowledge across GCC. Sharjah Health Authority, welcomed a team of representatives from GCC health ministries to enlighten them on their experience of being the ‘Healthy City’. The city endeavors to score higher during the next evaluation by WHO in the coming years. The primary goal of the WHO Healthy Cities initiative is to put health high on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments.

Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain along with the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Sharjah Health Authority officials toured the City’s prominent destinations to understand the intricate aspects to develop a healthy city. They visited, went to various locations including the Sharjah Sajaya Centre for young ladies, family health centres, elderly care centres among several other locations.

“It is important for us to share our knowledge and key areas of success with our neighbors in GCC to have a collective healthy city approach.  This is a great step forward for the whole of GCC region and we are proud to showcase and add value to the communities living in this region. In 2015, Sharjah was required to achieve 80% of the WHO indicators in different domains like health development, community based engagements, education and literacy, skill development, water, sanitation and air and emergency preparedness. However, Sharjah exceeded expectations and was awarded as the ‘Health City’ with an 88% score in 2015. With the combined efforts of all the government stakeholders we aim to better our record each year,” stated H.E. Abdulla Ali Al Mahyan, Chairman of SHA (Sharjah Health Authority) and SHCC (Sharjah Healthcare City).

The ‘Sharjah Healthy City’ program commenced in April 2012, and was registered within the WHO regional healthy city network. This initiative is part of the vision and efforts of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The health ministers discussed about the numerous initiatives taken by Sharjah Health Authority in order to ensure the sustainability of the programs and to put health at the top of the development agenda of the emirate.

The WHO Healthy Cities project is a global movement. It engages local governments in health development through a process of political commitment, institutional change, capacity-building, partnership based planning and innovative projects.
 

“We are delighted to have the health ministry officials in Sharjah and we were also able to take them on a city wide tour to showcase our healthy city credentials. Sharjah is the only city in the region among several countries across the globe who have registered to become a healthy city. There were many other cities who had joined the healthy city accreditation programme but many are yet achieve all the objectives. Sharjah healthy city program now under the Sharjah Health Authority is fully geared to conduct yearlong workshops and seminars of the same nature with the Government stakeholders in order to ensure everybody’s contributions. We will continue to improve our standards for the city in terms of justice, community partnership, transparency, efficiency and above all by extending a healthy standard of living, said H.E Dr. Abdel Aziz Al Mheiri, Director of Sharjah Health Authority.

According to the WHO officials, Sharjah will also be a regional training center for other cities seeking an endorsement to join the program. WHO commended Sharjah’s commitment to a healthy environment and its successful implementation of the criteria specified by the UN body, which earned it the rare distinction of becoming the first city in the MENA region.

According to WHO, health is the business of all sectors and local governments are in a unique leadership position, with power to protect and promote their citizens' health and well-being.

“We wish to share our achievements and help other cities in the region to follow our steps towards becoming a healthy city. The recognition by WHO is not just another title earned by Sharjah, but a cumulative effort by the Ruler and Sharjah authorities who have ensured that the residents of Sharjah live and grow within a healthy, safe and secure ecosystem,” concluded Al Mahyan.