Taif Governorate has been reaccredited as a Healthy City for the second time, as it is the first Saudi city to obtain this certificate twice, after meeting 80 criteria from the World Health Organization. Taif passed the final evaluation and obtained the international accreditation certificate, due to its distinguished parks and places for practicing walking, and promoting health through schools and primary care centers, in line with the goals of transforming the health sector according to Saudi Vision 2030 to reach a prosperous environment and a vibrant society based on the health of the individual and society.His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nahar bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Taif, received the accreditation certificate from His Excellency the Minister of Health, Professor Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel. The Healthy Cities Program of the Ministry of Health is the first WHO Collaborating Center for Healthy Cities at the regional level and the fourth worldwide. The Kingdom has the largest number of accredited healthy city certificates in the region with 16 healthy city accreditation certificates in various regions of the Kingdom. The Healthy Cities Program is also distinguished by improving the quality of life and making health a priority in development projects by adopting targets for future health indicators, and implementing many initiatives and programs that contribute to its sustainability by reducing chronic diseases affected by the health pattern. It aims to improve the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in international health indicators and reduce the rate of health risks and medical costs, which is an important step for a healthy and vibrant society. The Minister of Health stressed that the renewal of the World Health Organization's accreditation of Taif as a healthy city embodies the continuous interest and support of His Highness the Emir of the Governorate, the follow-up of the Director of Health Affairs, and the combined efforts of all sectors with the community. His Excellency the Minister of Health thanked the participating entities in the membership of the Healthy Cities Program Committees under the umbrella of Taif Governorate, where the Taif Municipality, the Ministry of Health branch, the General Administration of Education, Taif University, Social Development, and the Chamber of Commerce participated, in addition to the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the General Traffic Department, Taif Governorate Police, the Ministry of Sports Office, the private sector, and representatives of community groups, the city coordinator, and the Healthy Cities Program team.
In the same context, the Minister of Health inspected, during his visit, a number of health facilities, and reviewed the progress of work in them to ensure the quality of their performance in serving the citizen, as His Excellency visited King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital, and reviewed its health services and the progress of its work.The Minister’s tour included a visit to King Faisal Medical Complex, the Sumou Al-Fikr Center for Medical Rehabilitation and Addiction Treatment, and the Irada and Mental Health Complex, during which he inspected the progress of work and the flow of services to beneficiaries. He also visited the branch of the Red Crescent Authority in the governorate, as part of the ongoing efforts to develop the health sector and raise the quality and efficiency of health services provided, and to achieve the goals of the transformation of the health sector.During the visit, the Minister met with a group of citizens, listening to their needs and comments on health services; with the aim of developing them and providing them with high quality and efficiency. His Excellency the Minister's visit to Taif Governorate embodies the interest of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince - may God protect them - in identifying needs and providing the best health services to beneficiaries in all regions of the Kingdom, and in an effort to achieve integrated and comprehensive health care in the context of the transformation of the health sector, within the Saudi Vision 2030, and to ensure the quality and efficiency of health services provided to the people of the governorate.