MUSCAT: Oman's Masirah Island has been awarded international recognition as the first healthy island in the Eastern Mediterranean region by the World Health Organisation (WHO). At a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Health, the island received the international recognition certificate under the auspices of Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health.
The event was attended by various officials, including Dr Fatima bint Mohammed al Ajmiyah, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Administrative, Financial and Planning Affairs, Dr Yahya bin Badr al Maawali, Governor of South Al Sharqiyah, and other distinguished guests.
Abdulhamid bin Ali al Abri, Deputy Wali of Masirah and Chairman of the Executive Office for the Healthy Island, highlighted the environmental challenges urban areas face, including the island's expanding population and the impact of certain lifestyles on health. He emphasised that addressing these challenges requires the involvement of multiple sectors and community participation. The Ministry of Health has programmes and initiatives based on community and sectoral partnerships, such as healthy cities and villages, to promote health and encourage specific lifestyles among community members.
Saud al Nudhairi, Director-General of Health Services for Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, expressed the significance of Masirah Island's achievement in obtaining international recognition as a healthy island. He commended the island's commitment to improving the health and social conditions of its residents, as well as its efforts to become a globally recognised healthy island by fulfilling the evaluation criteria consisting of 80 standards across various pillars.
Dr John Jabbour, the WHO representative in Oman, noted the simultaneous focus on establishing futuristic model cities in the country that prioritise the quality of life and well being. He highlighted the alignment between these efforts and the principles of sustainable development and the WHO strategies.
Dr Maha al Adawi, Director of the Population Health Promotion Department at the Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean of the WHO, emphasised that Masirah Island met over 80 per cent of the required standards and indicators to be designated as a "Healthy City."
This makes Masirah the first island in the Eastern Mediterranean region to receive this recognition, joining the growing network of healthy cities. The island upholds the longstanding traditions of Oman and aims to adopt a lifestyle based on natural elements while contributing to the country's fish wealth. The achievement was made possible through the efforts of the national team for healthy cities under the guidance of the Minister of Health.
The Healthy Cities Programme is considered a tool and platform through which all government sectors, in collaboration with civil society organisations and the private sector, work together to engage with local communities. It addresses the social determinants of health, going beyond the provision of healthcare services and effectively contributes to improving the local environment and public facilities, leading to increased well-being and quality of life for people.
Despite the challenges faced in implementing the programme on Masirah Island, such as accessibility difficulties, the scattered and dispersed nature of the population groups, the developmental will, fruitful cooperation, and creativity among the people of Masirah and the various government sectors had a significant impact in launching the initiative in April 2016 and achieving remarkable results in a relatively short period.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
