Aseer Healthy Cities Earn Praise As WHO Delegation Commends Readiness And Governance

A World Health Organization delegation reported strong readiness for healthy city accreditation in Abha, Tareeb, Mahayel Aseer, and King Khalid University. The assessment highlighted the cities’ preparation levels and linked them to wider quality of life goals in Aseer Region.

The delegation noted that the Healthy Cities and Quality of Life Program Office at Aseer Principality showed high institutional performance. It described the office as an advanced national model in governance and cross-sectoral integration, reflecting structured coordination between different regional authorities.

The readiness evaluation formed part of an official WHO visit to Aseer Region from 14 to 22 December. A Ministry of Health team joined the mission, which aimed to measure compliance with healthy city standards and at the same time support stronger international cooperation.

During the visit, the delegation observed how health planning linked with wider quality of life projects and cultural identity. Members reported positive impressions of community participation, noting visible public engagement in programmes that combine urban services, health promotion and pride in local heritage across the assessed locations.

The delegation recommended that authorities continue to support and empower the Healthy Cities and Quality of Life Program Office and its staff as a national centre of expertise. It further advised completing accreditation procedures for all assessed cities and building on developmental observations recorded during the field review.

The WHO team also called for generalising the Aseer experience as a national model for implementing healthy city standards. It stressed the need to enhance sustainable partnership with the World Health Organization in assessment, research, and capacity building for similar programmes in other Saudi regions.

The visit programme included intensive field activities, with reviews of health and community initiatives in different districts. Delegation members visited government entities, municipalities, and health and educational facilities, and examined qualitative models of quality of life and community participation that reflected consistent levels of readiness and integration across Aseer Region.

With inputs from SPA