By: Muscat Daily
Suhar – World Health Organization (WHO) presented a certificate to Ministry of Health on Thursday officially recognising Suhar as a ‘Healthy City’.
The presentation ceremony, held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Suleiman al Kindi, Governor of North Batinah, was attended by Dr Jean Yacoub Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah al Busaidi, Wali of Suhar and Chairperson of Suhar Health City Executive Committee, noted that it was one of the first cities in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to adopt the Healthy Cities Programme in 2005. After nearly two decades of committed efforts and meeting 80 criteria across nine thematic areas, Suhar achieved the recognition from the WHO Regional Office and joined the Regional Network of Healthy Cities.
Busaidi informed that the Healthy City Programme plays a crucial role in advancing the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and sustainable development.
He highlighted the fact that Suhar’s approach, built on partnership and collaboration across public and private sectors, besides civil society, fosters a ‘health is everyone’s responsibility’ ethos essential to creating a holistic and healthy urban environment.
Dr Khalid bin Saeed al Saadi, Director General of Health Services in North Batinah, outlined the milestones that led to Suhar’s recognition at the presentation ceremony. Meeting WHO standards and advancing health and environmental outcomes required extensive collaboration across sectors, he noted. Suhar Healthy City now features 17 public parks, walking paths, a bike lane, an engineered landfill and a sewage network – all of which contribute to creating a health-promoting environment.
Saadi also pointed towards numerous initiatives that support Suhar’s WHO recognition, including health-promoting schools and universities, a free mobile mammography unit and annual Physical Activity Day, which inspired creation of Oman’s national Physical Activity Day. These initiatives reflect the city’s dedication to community health, environmental sustainability and active living, establishing Suhar as a model for healthy urban development in Oman and beyond.