Madinah, Islam's second holiest city, wins new accreditation as WHO ‘healthy city'
Prince Salman bin Sultan, governor of Madinah region, received the accreditation certificate from Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel during a ceremony on Thursday.
The governor said Madinah's renewed accreditation as a healthy city exemplifies the Saudi leadership's dedication to people-centric development and enhancing quality of life across the Kingdom's urban centers.
He also emphasized Madinah's ongoing urban and health transformation journey, positioning the city as a leading development model regionally and internationally, aligning with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals.
With the new accreditation, Madinah has solidified its position as the second-largest healthy city in the Middle East, next to Jeddah, and solidifies the Kingdom's leadership in sustainable, healthy urban development through seamless inter-authority collaboration.
To be able to win the WHO's nod as a healthy city, an entrant must meet 80 criteria, including parks, walking areas, and the promotion of health through primary care centers and schools.
Aside from Jeddah and Madinah, the WHO has also recognized 14 other 'healthy cities' in Saudi Arabia. These include Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jalajel, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khubra, and Sharurah, according to Leaders MENA Magazine.
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