The implementation of the Healthy Cities Programme contributes to achieving the objectives and requirements of sustainable development and advancing national progress, Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has said.
The achievements of these objectives have been possible under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad and with the support and follow-up of the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, he said when he received Supreme Council for Health chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Health Minister Dr Jalila Al Sayyed on the occasion of the World Health Organisation (WHO) awarding accreditation to Muharraq and Northern Governorates as ‘Healthy Governorates’.
Gen Shaikh Rashid congratulated the two governorates for the achievement, expressing appreciation to all members of both governorates for their efforts which resulted in each earning the recognition.
The Interior Minister emphasised the importance of the achievement in improving quality of life and promoting the principle of community partnership to achieve public health objectives.
He also directed the Southern Governorate to continue its procedures within the global Healthy Cities Programme and to obtain international accreditation, in preparation for the declaration of all governorates of Bahrain as healthy governorates.
The Interior Minister with Lt Gen Dr Shaikh Mohammed, Dr Al Sayyed and officials at the ceremony
He expressed appreciation to the Health Ministry for its role in achieving this international accreditation, commending the initiatives and development projects launched and implemented by both governorates in co-ordination with the relevant authorities.
The initiatives also contribute to enhancing communication with citizens and meeting their needs.
Gen Shaikh Rashid wished everyone continued success in serving the kingdom.
The Northern Governorate met the accreditation criteria according to the WHO’s evaluation visit in November 2024, while Muharraq Governorate met the criteria following the evaluation visit in February 2025.
The Healthy Cities Programme is an international framework to improve health, environmental, economic and social aspects through an effective partnership between the Health Ministry, governorates, the local community and in co-ordination with relevant entities.
The programme, which aims to raise community awareness, includes 80 criteria distributed across several domains, including community organisation and mobilisation for health and development, inter-sectoral partnerships, water, food safety, health development, emergency preparedness, education and others.
The meeting was attended by Interior Ministry’s adviser for community affairs Ali Al Asfoor, and WHO regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy.
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