As stated by the local government authorities, the registration of Sharjah has been accepted by WHO & now a steering committee has been formed to draw strategies and plans to meet the main requirements of integration into the programme of the healthy city.

Sharjah, which boasts great environmental, social, cultural and economic potential, was able to meet 30 to 40 of the WHO's 80 criteria points before it even joined the Healthy Cities programme. WHO requires that at least 80 per cent of those criteria be fulfilled.

It is noteworthy that Sharjah is currently working to meet more of the Healthy Cities programme's criteria. WHO's standards that were achieved by Sharjah in a very short period of time would take a number of years to be fulfilled by other countries.

The programme's criteria cover various areas, including the environment, environmental services, housing, agricultural land and social development, such as family and child care, as well as safety, security and crisis management.

Sharjah's integration into the programme was the inevitable result of continuous efforts that had established a solid health care base for Sharjah's people. This integration reflected the joint effort between all entities in Sharjah.

Sharjah has adopted a wide range of laws that help protect the environment and public health and align with its human welfare-focused vision. Sharjah was the first in the UAE to pass a piece of legislation to prevent environmental degradation in wilderness areas. Major health and sanitation laws were approved by Sharjah for the purpose of protecting the environment against pollutants and preserving public health. Sharjah has numerous projects that seek to reduce pollution and maintain a clean environment. Sharjah Executive Council has taken a commendable decision to treat medical waste, which was the basis of Wiqaya, the first project in the region to reduce pollution from medical waste, in addition to Bee'ah, a company that works in full swing to encounter the problems of pollution. Bee'ah is working towards 100% landfill diversion by early 2015. Environment and Protected Areas Authority, which was established with the aim of preserving the environment and natural reserves and, hence, complements Sharjah's environmental programmes.

I wish Sharjah, my home city in the UAE, all the best & hope that they achieve this coveted status in 2015.

Source: Gulf News