Muscat: Oman’s healthy cities programme has expanded to eight internationally recognised cities following the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recognition of Barka in South al Batinah Governorate and Yanqul in al Dhahirah Governorate as healthy cities.
The accreditation marks the culmination of sustained institutional efforts and community collaboration to create healthier environments and improve quality of life, in line with Oman’s efforts to build healthy and sustainable communities.
Barka is the first WHO-recognised healthy city in South al Batinah Governorate, while Yanqul is the first in al Dhahirah Governorate. The achievement further strengthens Oman’s healthy cities programme and its presence within the healthy cities network at regional and international levels.
The two wilayats were accredited after fulfilling WHO requirements and criteria through field assessment visits conducted by the organisation’s regional team, in coordination with the Ministry of Health’s Health Promotion Department, represented by the Partnership and Community Initiatives Section.
The field visits assessed initiatives and projects implemented across various areas related to health and sustainable development. The evaluation covered health, social, economic and environmental aspects, as well as support for productive families, security and safety, air quality and community initiatives and sustainable development projects.
The initiatives reflect the impact of community partnerships on the ground and the contribution of various sectors to improving the health and wellbeing of residents.
Government institutions, executive offices, health committees, civil society organisations, charitable teams and members of the community all contributed to implementing initiatives and supporting the two wilayats in meeting the healthy city criteria.
The achievement underscores that a healthy city is not merely an accreditation, but a sustainable, participatory approach that places people’s health and quality of life at the centre of development.
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