MoPH, WHO Regional Office host workshop on urban health
Doha
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) recently organised the 'Healthy Cities Workshop: Promoting Multisectoral Action and Monitoring Urban Wellbeing', in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHOROEM), at the Itqan Clinical Simulation and Innovation Centre at Hamad Bin Khalifa Medical City.
The workshop is part of the joint efforts between the Ministry of Public Health and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean to launch a long-term national dialogue on urban health.
The workshop marks the beginning of a collaborative process that will evolve through the organisation of a number of workshops to address urban health challenges through multisectoral action.
The event aims to foster an open dialogue among key stakeholders regarding the current status of implementing Healthy Cities in Qatar. It reviewed lessons learned from past efforts, highlighting ongoing successes, as well as identifying gaps and challenges.
Participants discussed governance and coordination issues impacting multisectoral work and suggested possible improvements. The workshop began to conceptualise a national roadmap for Healthy Cities that aligns with Qatar's public health, environmental, and development strategies. It will aimed to reintroduce and revitalise the Healthy Cities Network as a collaborative platform for action.
The workshop continued to draw from regional experiences, including insights from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Cities in Saudi Arabia.
In his opening speech, Assistant Minister of Public Health for Health Affairs Dr Saleh Ali Al Marri said, 'We are gathering now at such a pivotal moment, as Qatar continues its efforts to promote urban well-being, sustainability and healthy living environments for all.
'Qatar has exerted great efforts in improving the Healthy Cities Initiative over the past years, as our municipalities, Education City and Qatar University, have shown a firm commitment to promoting environments that prioritise health, equality and sustainability.'
He stressed that the workshop represents the starting point for the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean's reassessment mission. It provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements, tackle ongoing challenges, and outline a path towards developing stronger and more integrated healthy cities in Qatar.
Dr Al Marri added, 'I am confident that through open dialogue, exchange of experiences, and multi-sectoral cooperation, we will develop valuable visions and a renewed vision for the future in line with our national development strategies and Qatar National Vision 2030.'
Dr Sadriya Al Kohji, chair of the Healthy Cities Network of Qatar, said: 'The workshop serves as a platform for brainstorming and reflection to explore the successes achieved through the Healthy Cities Programme in Qatar and how to overcome structural and operational barriers. The discussions and sessions of the workshop contribute to define strategic directions, promote alignment with national and sectoral strategies, and lay the foundation for a national roadmap for healthy cities that lasts until 2030.'
Dr Kohji added, 'The workshop also contributes to a clearer understanding of governance and coordination challenges and mitigation options, while identifying priorities and gaps in monitoring and evaluation systems across municipalities and institutions, and identifying initial inputs towards a national roadmap and strategic priorities for healthy cities until 2030.'
Najla Khaled Al Mulla, a member of the Healthy Cities Network at the Ministry of Municipality, said: 'Reactivating the Healthy Cities Network is an important step towards enhancing the health of the population and improving their quality of life, in order to achieve more sustainable and healthier cities.
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