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Healthy Cities

Definition of a Healthy Cities

A Healthy City is:

A city that seeks to improve the lifestyle of its residents by providing a clean environment, integrated health services, and effective community participation, in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO).

How is it Accredited?
A city is accredited as a “Healthy City” by the World Health Organization (WHO) after meeting 80 comprehensive criteria that cover nine key areas. These include:
Environment, Public Health, Nutrition, Safety, Community Participation, and others, under the framework of the Accredited Healthy Cities Program recognized globally

Accredited Healthy Cities in the Kingdom:
    • Diriyah
    • Jalajil
    • Ghat
    • Zulfi
    • Al-Jamoum
    • Jeddah
    • Taif
    • Madinah
    • Al-Khobar
    • Tabuk
    • Al-Aridah
    • Sharurah
    • Al-Mundiqi
    • Princess Nourah University
    • Unaizah
    • Riyadh Al-Khabra
The Healthy Cities initiative in the Kingdom embodies a concrete commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, as the concept of health evolves from focusing solely on clinics to encompassing neighborhoods, and from treatment to prevention.

By adhering to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO), a significant number of Saudi cities have obtained official accreditation as Healthy Cities, while other cities continue their journey toward accreditation, within a comprehensive national framework directed toward healthier and more sustainable communities.

How Did Saudi Cities Succeed in Gaining WHO Accreditation?
 
Several cities in Saudi Arabia have successfully obtained Healthy City accreditation from the World Health Organization (WHO), thanks to integrated national efforts led by the Ministry of Health, and with the support of various government entities. These efforts align with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance quality of life.

Key Success Factors:
    • Leadership support and concern for the health of citizens and the quality of life.
    • Effective coordination among the Ministry of Health, municipalities, educational institutions, and environmental authorities.
    • Implementation of WHO global standards in public health, cleanliness, environment, and community awareness.
    • Broad community participation that contributed to promoting healthy behaviors and improving the local environment.
What are the 80 Evaluation Criteria?
The eighty criteria are categorized into nine main domains, including:
 
First: Community Organization for Health and Development
  1. Training volunteers and community representatives to assess needs ,monitor and  conduct analysis.
  2. Forming an official coordination committee with active community  participation.
  3. Engaging volunteers in planning and delivering health services.
  4. Following up and documenting achievements and challenges by the committee.
  5. ​Establishing a community center that meet local needs .
  6. Building local development partnerships.
  7. Forming women's and youth working groups for participation in development.
Second: Cooperation and Partnership between Sectors
   8. Nominating official committee members from various sectors.
   9. Forming a coordination committee headed by the governor and documenting meetings.
   10. Appointing an official coordinator and providing a suitable headquarters and equipment.
   11. Holding periodic technical support meetings between the committee and the sectors.
   12. Implementing at least one joint project.
 ​  13. Documenting activities and funding to enhance transparency.
   14. Publishing success stories and implementing campaigns that promote local culture.

Third: Community Information Center
   15. Establishing a community information center and training dedicated teams.
   16. Displaying data in the center and sharing it with partners.
   17.  Using data for community monitoring and advocacy.
   18. Updating and publishing survey results.
   19. Preparing and regularly updating the city’s profile.
 
Fourth: Water, Sanitation, Food and Air Safety
   20. Ensuring a clean environment and sufficient green spaces.
   21. Establishing a community-based system for solid waste treatment.
   22. Developing a plan to protect water sources and raise public awareness.
   23. Providing safe drinking water for all families.
   24. Training volunteers to maintain a healthy environment in schools and public facilities.
   25. Encouraging community participation in monitoring food safety.
   26. Ensuring access to markets that offer subsidized food products.
   27. Developing and implementing a plan to prohibit smoking and transition to a smoke-free city.
   28. Establishing a community air quality monitoring center in collaboration with the municipality.
   29. Implementing interventions to reduce air pollution.
   30. Evaluating the impact of urban planning on air quality and ensuring the use of clean fuel.

Fifth: Health Development
   31. Training community representatives on public health matters and health promotion.
   32. Registering births, deaths, and vital statistics.
   33. Establishing a sustainable referral system with healthcare providers.
   34. Implementing community-based research projects on health participation.
   35. Forming a subcommittee to develop local healthcare strategies.
   36. Providing essential medicines, vaccines, and clinical facilities in urban areas.
   37. Evaluating quality of health services and offering ongoing staff training.
   38. Ensuring all pregnant women receive prenatal care and safe delivery services.
   39. Ensuring mothers receive postpartum care for at least 40 days.
   40. Improving child health by the age of one year.
   41. Registering and vaccinating newborns according to the national immunization schedule.
   42. Actively participating in polio eradication campaigns among children.
   43. Ensuring access to care and follow up services for children under five.
   44.  Identifying malnourished children and mothers and monitoring their health and nutritional status.
   45. Implementing community based DOTS strategy for tuberculosis control when needed.
   46. Implementing malaria control programs with community participation when needed.
   47. Reporting and following up on communicable diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.
   48. Conducting awareness campaigns on prevention of immune deficiency viruses.
​   49. Identifying individuals with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and providing follow up.
   50. Supporting individuals with mental health disorders or substance abuse and providing community education.
   51. Identifying persons with physical disabilities and ensuring they receive appropriate support.
   52. Identifying high risk areas and implementing measures to reduce accidents.
   53. Working toward a city free from crime, violence, and discrimination based on gender or race.

Sixth: Emergency Preparedness and Response
   54. Identifying emergency situations that occurred over the past 20 years and documenting the damages.
   55. Establishing a subcommittee for emergencies and assigning responsibilities.
   56. Preparing a city contingency plan and training volunteers in emergency response and first aid.
   57. Developing a backup emergency plan and informing the community about it.
   58. Pre-identifying vulnerable groups (such as pregnant women, older  people, and disability ).
   59. Ensuring the community is well-prepared and aware of how to act during crises.
 
Seventh: Education and Literacy
   60. Ensuring all school-age children are enrolled and preventing school dropouts.
   61. Holding regular meetings between school principals and community committees to assess the quality of education.
   62. Ensuring that schools in the city provide education that meets appropriate quality standards.
   63. Establishing a subcommittee to monitor educational quality in coordination with the education authority.
   64. Encouraging youth and women to participate in literacy and adult education campaigns.

Eighth: Professional Skills and Training Development
   64. Assessing local skills and appropriate technologies suited to the community’s needs.
   65. Establishing training centers that focus on skills aligned with labor market demands.
   67. Giving priority to students to receive vocational training loans.
   68. Transforming training centers into independent institutions managed locally.
   69. Establishing specialized training centers for computers, languages, sports, and other skills.
   70. Supporting local innovators and creatives and enhancing their capabilities.

Ninth: Productive Loan Activities
   71. Identifying the poor and vulnerable using clear and transparent criteria.
   72. Linking income-generating activities with community skills and training centers.
   73. Recording and monitoring financial matters by the designated finance officer in the committee.
   74. Establishing a system for monitoring loan repayments through the formal banking system.
   75. Opening a dedicated bank account for the program and related financial transactions
   76. Collecting a percentage 5–10% of loan value to support community development activities.
   77. Group representatives ensure repayment of installments and safeguard their funds.
   78. Opening a bank account under the program or city committee to document financial operations.
   79.  Allocating 5–10% of loan funds into a separate account to support social development initiatives.
   80. The group representative ensures timely monthly repayments and preserves funds within a future activity fund.


Last Update : 10 August 2025 10:26 AM
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