Inspired by the goals of promoting health and putting it on the top of agendas for decision-makers, the World Health Organisation launched in 1978 the project of ‘Healthy Cities’ with an aim of promoting health and well-being in urban areas. Due to continuous efforts, this has become a global movement working to put health high on the social, economic and political agendas of municipalities and city governments.
With the WHO accreditation the Municipalities of Doha and Al Rayyan as ‘Healthy Cities’ and the designation of Qatar Foundation’s Education City as a ‘Healthy Education City’ yesterday, Qatari cities have joined the global Healthy Cities Network paving way to turn all itscities into healthy cities.
Qatar’s adoption of the ‘Healthy Cities’ project is not aimed at getting political, strategic, technical and capacity-building support from the WHO but affirms Qatar’s commitment to achieve universal health. As well it is the State’s health strategy and Qatar National Vision 2030 which aim to promote physical and mental health for the population as the Minister of Public Health H E Dr. Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari stated yesterday.
In order to achieve this, the Ministry developed strong partnerships by bringing together policymakers, researchers, academics and leaders from different sectors and industries through the development of a ‘Healthy City Network’, to facilitate joint work and collaborations aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the population. The accreditation of the two municipalities and Education City as ‘Healthy Cities’ and ‘Healthy Education City’ respectively reflects the efforts exerted to put health and well-being of the population of Qatar on top of the agendas for decision makers.
The ‘Healthy City’ is an outcome of a process of working continuously to create and improve the physical and social environments to transform the cities into healthy cities, through sustainable urban development and high-quality of life to improve the health and wellbeing of all people across Qatar.
Minister of Municipality Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie described the “achievement as a culmination of efforts to develop all municipalities in the country and to upgrade the level of projects and services provided to residents reaching the strategic goals of maintaining eco-friendly cities with green, healthy, and scenic facilities; and enhancing the ‘ease of living’ and quality of life”. The awarding of the two largest municipalities as ‘Healthy Cities’ by the WHO follows the joining of three Qatari municipalities - Al Wakra, Al Shamal and Al Shahaniya - the Unesco Global Network of Learning Cities. It is a great achievement indicting a quantum leap towards healthier environment that assures physical and mental health of the community in Qatar.
