Ten Cities in WHO South-East Asia Region Receive Healthy City Awards
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized ten cities across six countries in the South-East Asia Region for their significant efforts in enhancing urban health and well-being, WHO website reported. The awards were presented by WHO Regional Director Saima Wazed during a virtual ceremony, celebrating the cities’ dedication to inclusive planning and multisectoral approaches.
The awarded cities demonstrated improvements in various health determinants, including environmental, social, and governance aspects. Notable initiatives included Addu’s focus on youth empowerment and urban farming, Badulla’s advancements in dengue control, and Bangkok’s expansion of green public spaces. Other cities like Pune leveraged public-private partnerships to improve services for vulnerable populations, while Sadao promoted active aging through its Health Security Fund.
Wazed emphasized that these awards reflect improved urban governance addressing interlocking health determinants. With over 55% of the global population now living in urban areas, the health of cities is crucial for national health. Launched in 2022, the WHO South-East Asia Regional Healthy Cities Network aims to provide technical support and foster innovation among local governments. Awards are conferred every two years, recognizing progress and future plans in urban health initiatives.
