WHO Declares Sharjah Region's First Healthy City

UAE-Sharjah: July 15, 2015 – The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised the Emirate Sharjah as the first healthy city in the region following the latter’s adherence to all the requirements pertaining to the WHO’s Healthy Cities programme, according to a report issued by Sharjah Media Centre, the media and communications arm of the Government of Sharjah.

His Excellency (HE) Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Advisor at the Ruler’s Office and President of the Steering Committee responsible for managing the integration of Sharjah into the WHO's Healthy Cities programme, said that the recognition came as a result of cumulative work by all sectors in the emirate to provide the necessary health services, based on the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

He expressed his appreciation for the efforts made by the steering committee responsible for managing the integration of Sharjah into the WHO's Healthy Cities programme. He also praised the collaboration that occurred between the emirate’s people and various sectors to fulfil the requirements of joining the Healthy Cities programme.

HE Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi considered the declaration of Sharjah as the first healthy city in the region a major achievement for the emirate, which puts the health of its people at the forefront of its priorities.

He said that this declaration solidifies Sharjah’s position on the global map and supports its leading role as the first emirate to execute the WHO’s programme at the level of the region, all while aligning with the emirate’s vision to always remain an integrated healthy city and continuously improve its services.

While the accession of Sharjah into the Healthy Cities programme required meeting at least 80% of the WHO’s 80 criteria, Sharjah has so far met 88% of those criteria. Sheikh Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi asserted that the emirate, under the guidance and follow-up of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, was able to meet 40 of the criteria before it even joined the programme.