WHO awards Healthy City designation to Barka, Yanqul

Muscat: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently awarded the Healthy City designation to Barka (South Al Batinah Governorate) and Yanqul (Al Dhahirah Governorate), bringing to 8 the total number of internationally accredited Omani healthy cities.

The designation marks the culmination of sustained institutional action and community integration. It reflects the efforts made by various sectors to create a health-enhancing environment and to boost the quality of life in accordance with Oman’s strategic approach to establishing healthy and sustainable communities.

Barka is the first accredited Healthy City in the South Al Batinah Governorate, while Yanqul is the first city to be accorded such a status in Al Dhahirah Governorate. This achievement bolsters the Sultanate of Oman’s “Healthy Cities Programme” and consolidates the country’s standing in the regional and international healthy cities network.

The designation was the outcome of initiatives undertaken by various parties to fulfill the WHO requirements and standards that were verified through field assessment visits conducted by the WHO's regional team, assisted by a team from the Ministry of Health.

The accomplishment symbolizes the ongoing cross-sector collaboration which saw the active participation of government departments, executive offices, health committees, civil society institutions and community members—which all joined hands in the realization of impactful initiatives and helping the two wilayats meet the Healthy City criteria.