Sharjah Healthy Emirate Committee Discusses 2026–2028 Plan For Healthier City

The "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" programme is moving into a new 2026–2028 phase that aims to make Sharjah a global example for healthy cities. The plan seeks better quality of life for residents, wider use of smart health initiatives, and stronger coordination between public and private sectors across the Emirate.

The expanded scope of the global Healthy Cities programme during 2026–2028 centres on implementing World Health Organisation standards in Sharjah. The initiative targets chronic disease prevention through smart, sustainable community projects, while also encouraging wider use of modern technologies to raise public awareness and support a culture that values healthy urban living.

The Executive Committee of the "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" programme held its first meeting for 2026 under the chairmanship of Dr. Abdulaziz Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority. Representatives from government bodies and private organisations involved in applying World Health Organisation criteria in the Emirate also attended and outlined shared priorities.

During the meeting, committee members discussed Executive Council Decision No. (60) of 2025, which reorganised the Executive Committee of the "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" programme. As part of this process, His Excellency Brigadier General Dr Ali Ahmed Abu Al Zoud was elected Deputy Committee Chairman, strengthening oversight and administrative support for the coming phase.

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Muhairi stated that the new phase of the "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" programme reflects the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The programme is designed to reinforce Sharjah’s status as a sustainable healthy Emirate over the 2026–2028 period.

According to the committee discussions, His Highness’s adoption of the new "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" logo signals ongoing support for top quality-of-life standards in the Emirate. The logo also symbolises a drive to deepen official partnerships that support community health, including collaborations with health, education, municipal and private sector institutions.

Sharjah Healthy Emirate networks and implementation

The meeting reviewed key strategic objectives for the "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" programme, including better mobilisation of financial and technical resources to apply healthy city standards. Participants stressed the need for integrated smart programmes and sustainable community initiatives that improve awareness, encourage healthy behaviour, and link health planning with transport, housing and environmental policies.

Committee members confirmed the completion of work on the "Sharjah Healthy Cities Network," which will act as a platform for cooperation with all relevant entities and strategic partners. The network aims to coordinate efforts, allocate responsibilities, and monitor progress towards the targets of the "Sharjah Healthy Emirate" initiative during the next implementation cycle.

With inputs from WAM