Sharjah 24: The World Health Organisation (WHO) delegation to Sharjah to evaluate "Sharjah is a healthy city" highlighted the strong support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah , who focused efforts on health and providing the needed tools for members of society to have a decent life.

The delegation also praised Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, for her pioneering role in improving family members’ life, securing their stability, and ensuring their cohesion, which was reflected on the ground through field visits by WHO delegation. 

This was stated during the closing session to evaluate the criteria for broadening the scope of the Healthy Cities Programme, which was attended by Abdullah Al-Mahyan, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority, and Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi, Director General   of the Authority. The World Health Organisation delegation reviewed the findings and recommendations of the three-day evaluation of the Emirate of Sharjah's file, which included evaluation sessions, field visits, and direct meetings with officials and representatives of the emirate's various authorities and institutions.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Al Muhairi stressed that His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah's vision and directives were the road map and the foundation that the Executive Committee followed in preparing the emirate's file, which was based on qualifying facilities and providing the best services that consider the health and happiness of everyone who lives in Sharjah.

Al Muhairi thanked the work team that oversaw the Sharjah file for meeting all of the conditions and requirements, as well as the great efforts made during the previous period, which saw the holding of many meetings and coordination meetings, praising the role of all partners from various authorities and institutions in the emirate for their support to facilitate the task of Executive Committee.

The WHO  delegation expressed its delight at being in the Emirate of Sharjah and the progress it has seen in terms of facilities, competencies, and innovation in providing a healthy life for members of society, emphasising that Sharjah has  today a broader healthcare base, and all of the entities in the Emirate have been fully committed to health procedures and to public health standards which gives Sharjah the opportunity to regain  the title of healthy city after 2015, and was then the first healthy city to receive the title at Middle Eastern and North African regions.

The World Health Organisation delegation recommended that Sharjah's expertise be transferred to other cities, since it is regarded as a leading model in the application of the highest health standards, placing health as a top priority in the Emirate's development programmes.