Latest news with #HealthyCities
Zawya
4 days ago
- Health
- Zawya
WHO designates Jeddah and Madinah among 16 'Healthy Cities'
RIYADH — The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated 16 cities as 'Healthy Cities' and two Saudi cities found a place among them, according to the Ministry of Health. Jeddah and Madinah stand out as the first cities in the Middle East with populations of two million to receive the accreditation, marking a key milestone in the ministry's Healthy Cities Program and its ongoing efforts to enhance quality of life. The accomplishment reflects successful collaboration among government and community stakeholders, through the application of more than 80 international evaluation criteria across nine core domains spanning health, development, and sustainability. The ministry noted that the national health system continues to strengthen its global standing through a series of significant achievements in scientific research and international recognition. The Kingdom has also made notable advances in medical research and innovation. A study conducted by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) on robotic liver transplantation was named one of the top 10 most influential research papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation. In addition, seven Saudi hospitals were included in Brand Finance's Global Top 250 Hospitals 2025 report, highlighting the Kingdom's strong healthcare infrastructure, international competitiveness, and commitment to high-quality patient care. These accomplishments are closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 — particularly the 'A Vibrant Society' and 'A Thriving Economy' pillars, to enhance quality of life and support innovation and scientific advancement. Together, these milestones reflect the integrated efforts of the national health system and various sectors, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional hub and global destination for advanced healthcare. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
4 days ago
- Health
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia lifts global health standing with research milestones, WHO Healthy Cities
Saudi Arabia's national health system continues to strengthen its global standing through a series of significant achievements in scientific research and international recognition. The Ministry of Health highlighted the designation of 16 locations as 'Healthy Cities' under World Health Organization criteria. Among these, Jeddah and Madinah stand out as the first cities in the Middle East with populations of 2 million or more to receive the accreditation, marking a milestone in the ministry's 'Healthy Cities Program' and its efforts to enhance quality of life. The accomplishment reflects successful collaboration among government and community stakeholders through the application of more than 80 international evaluation criteria across nine core domains spanning health, development, and sustainability. Saudi Arabia has also made notable advances in medical research and innovation. A study conducted by King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center on robotic liver transplantation was named one of the 10 most influential research papers of 2024 by the American Society of Transplantation. In addition, seven Saudi hospitals were included in Brand Finance's Global Top 250 Hospitals 2025 report, highlighting the Kingdom's strong healthcare infrastructure, international competitiveness, and commitment to high-quality patient care. These accomplishments are closely aligned with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, particularly the 'A Vibrant Society' and 'A Thriving Economy' pillars to enhance quality of life and support innovation and scientific advancement. Together, the milestones reflect the integrated efforts of the national health system and various sectors, reinforcing the Kingdom's position as a regional hub and global destination for advanced healthcare.
Kuwait Times
24-06-2025
- Health
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait calls for unified Gulf efforts to expand Healthy Cities initiative
KUWAIT: A senior Kuwaiti health official has emphasized the need for unified Gulf efforts to accelerate progress in the Healthy Cities initiative, a regional program that integrates health into urban planning to improve quality of life and drive sustainable development. Speaking at the 24th meeting of the GCC Joint Committee on Healthy Cities, Dr Amal Al-Yahya, Director of the Ministry of Health's Healthy Cities Department, said cross-border collaboration and coordination among sectors are critical for advancing public health, expanding community participation, and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 'The Healthy Cities initiative offers a powerful platform for joint action between ministries, municipalities, civil society, and the private sector,' Dr Al-Yahya said. 'It enables us to create environments that support health, sustainability and social equity.' The meeting, attended by Gulf representatives, focused on advancing health-promoting commercial complexes — malls and markets designed with public health in mind — and moving from national pilot projects to a unified GCC-wide approach. Dr Al-Yahya noted that achieving this requires good planning, capacity building, and the adoption of standardized models and evaluation mechanisms. The committee reviewed recommendations from the Second Kuwait Healthy Cities Conference held in February and explored how to translate those into actionable plans. Dr Al-Yahya emphasized the need to register more cities under WHO's Healthy Cities framework and strengthen the role of civil society in supporting long-term health and environmental outcomes. Kuwait's Healthy Cities Kuwait is steadily expanding its participation in the WHO Regional Network of Healthy Cities, with Fintas becoming the country's 21st registered area earlier this week. The signing ceremony, led by Ahmadi Governor Sheikh Humoud Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, was attended by Dr Al-Yahya, who confirmed Fintas' official inclusion. According to the Ministry of Health, the Healthy Cities initiative in Kuwait goes beyond traditional healthcare settings by addressing social determinants of health — such as urban design, education, and access to green spaces — that impact daily life. According to the United Nations, a 'healthy city' is not one that is already healthy, but one that commits to improving the living environment for all residents. The WHO defines such cities as places that prioritize health in urban planning, promote community participation, and support equitable access to services. In practical terms, this translates into cleaner air, accessible public spaces, walkable neighborhoods, better waste management, and greater community voice in local planning. It also means investing in infrastructure that encourages healthy lifestyles — like bike lanes, green areas, and inclusive services for youth, the elderly, and people with disabilities. As Kuwait moves forward with its goal to increase the number of certified healthy cities to 10 fully recognized urban areas, it is also pushing complementary programs like health-promoting universities, elderly-friendly public infrastructure, and smart, sustainable retail spaces. — Agencies
Arab Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Kuwait calls for unified Gulf efforts to promote healthy cities
KUWAIT CITY, June 23: Dr. Amal Al-Yahya, Director of the Healthy Cities Department at Kuwait's Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for unified efforts across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to promote healthy cities, strengthen public health, and achieve sustainable development goals. Speaking on Monday at the 24th meeting of the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities, Dr. Al-Yahya highlighted the value of regional cooperation, coordination, and community participation. She noted that collaboration among various sectors is essential to realize health-focused development outcomes. Dr. Al-Yahya underscored the importance of finalizing the enhanced file on health-promoting malls and markets, calling the Healthy Cities initiative a strong platform for intersectoral collaboration. 'This initiative fosters joint action between sectors to achieve shared goals and promote public health,' she stated. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on implementing the health-promoting commercial malls project, a review of prior decisions, and preparations needed at the national level to support its rollout across the GCC. This includes capacity-building efforts, adoption of tested models, and evaluation mechanisms. As part of the meeting, a two-day training course will be held starting Tuesday, aimed at building the capacities of those managing health-promoting malls across GCC states. Participants will also conduct field visits to malls that have successfully passed previous evaluation stages. Additionally, the committee will review the schedule of upcoming evaluation visits and examine the recommendations from the Second Kuwait Conference on Healthy Cities, held last February. Discussions will focus on transforming those recommendations into an actionable and practical work plan. Dr. Al-Yahya also stressed the importance of preparing a comprehensive operational plan, increasing the number of cities registered and accredited under the World Health Organization's Healthy Cities standards, and empowering civil society to play a greater role in advancing sustainable health and development initiatives. The overarching goal, she noted, is to make tangible progress in environmental sustainability and public health across healthy cities in the Gulf region.
Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Health
- Qatar Tribune
MoPH, WHO Regional Office host workshop on urban health
Tribune News Network 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.
