Jeddah And Medina Named WHO ‘Healthy Cities' In Regional First
The two cities are the first in the region with populations exceeding two million to earn the prestigious accreditation.
The recognition comes after rigorous evaluation against more than 80 international benchmarks across nine core areas, including healthcare access, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.
The WHO accolade coincides with a series of breakthroughs positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging leader in healthcare innovation and research.
Among the most notable are groundbreaking research on robotic liver transplantation by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), which was ranked among the top 10 most influential medical research papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation, and the inclusion of seven Saudi hospitals in Brand Finance's Global Top 250 Hospitals 2025, underscoring the Kingdom's advanced healthcare infrastructure and patient care standards.
These advancements align with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's ambitious economic and social reform agenda. The 'Healthy Cities' designation directly supports the vision's 'Vibrant Society' pillar, which prioritises well-being and livability, while medical innovations bolster the 'Thriving Economy' goal of fostering knowledge-based industries.
With Jeddah and Medina now serving as models for urban health in the Middle East, Saudi officials aim to expand the Healthy Cities Programme to other urban centres.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
Jeddah And Medina Named WHO ‘Healthy Cities' In Regional First
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has designated Jeddah and Medinah among 16 cities worldwide as 'Healthy Cities,' Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health announced. The two cities are the first in the region with populations exceeding two million to earn the prestigious accreditation. The recognition comes after rigorous evaluation against more than 80 international benchmarks across nine core areas, including healthcare access, environmental sustainability, and community well-being. The WHO accolade coincides with a series of breakthroughs positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging leader in healthcare innovation and research. Among the most notable are groundbreaking research on robotic liver transplantation by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), which was ranked among the top 10 most influential medical research papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation, and the inclusion of seven Saudi hospitals in Brand Finance's Global Top 250 Hospitals 2025, underscoring the Kingdom's advanced healthcare infrastructure and patient care standards. These advancements align with Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom's ambitious economic and social reform agenda. The 'Healthy Cities' designation directly supports the vision's 'Vibrant Society' pillar, which prioritises well-being and livability, while medical innovations bolster the 'Thriving Economy' goal of fostering knowledge-based industries. With Jeddah and Medina now serving as models for urban health in the Middle East, Saudi officials aim to expand the Healthy Cities Programme to other urban centres.
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Clogs cause chaos
More than 5,000 sewerage reports were logged in Bahrain in the first half of 2025, as the Ministry of Works warned that fats and oils from restaurants and garages are clogging drains and causing overflows. Engineer Abdulnabi Hassan Al Koofi, Director of the Sanitary Engineering Operations and Maintenance Directorate, said 5,056 reports were handled on receipt. The Capital Governorate recorded 1,835, the Northern 1,289, Muharraq 1,065 and the Southern 867. Cases He linked many cases to areas with large numbers of food outlets and vehicle workshops. Food scraps and cooking fats poured into drains harden and stick to pipe walls, building up until lines block and sewage overflows. The same occurs when lubricants from garages run into sewer lines. Hotline Reports reach the Sanitary Engineering Operations and Maintenance Directorate via the sewerage emergency hotline and the National Suggestions and Complaints System (Tawasul). Teams take details, inspect foul-sewer manholes and stormwater inlets where needed, and carry out remedial work. The ministry works with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the municipal councils and the Capital Municipality to require restaurants, shops and garages to fit grease and oil traps and to dispose of waste correctly. Coordination with the Commercial Registration directorate and municipal councils holds non-compliant outlets to account, and judicial enforcement campaigns have been stepped up to limit oil dumping. Complaints Al Koofi urged the public to file complaints through the eGovernment portal ( the Ministry of Works website ( and Tawasul, or by calling the control and reporting centre on 80001810. A mobile service is also available for viewing ministry services and information. He added that the sanitary engineering sector is expanding networks across the governorates to meet demand and improve service reliability for citizens and residents.
Daily Tribune
05-08-2025
- Daily Tribune
Muharraq Celebrates WHO Recognition as a ‘Healthy Governorate'
Muharraq Governor Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai, on behalf of the people of Muharraq, extended heartfelt thanks to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for their leadership and support following the World Health Organization's recognition of Muharraq as a 'Healthy Governorate' under the Healthy Cities Program. Governor Al Mannai said this international recognition reflects the leadership's clear vision and commitment to developing infrastructure, strengthening medical, educational, and social facilities, and providing fully integrated public service centers. He emphasized that these efforts have improved public health and enhanced Bahrain's standing among nations striving to achieve sustainable development goals. He also praised the guidance and close follow-up of Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, whose support played a major role in achieving this milestone. The Governor highlighted Muharraq's rich heritage and resources, noting that it was among the first governorates to adopt this initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other relevant authorities. He also commended the fruitful cooperation between government bodies, private sector partners, and civil society institutions, which together created an outstanding national model of community partnership.
