WHO recognises Masirah as ‘Healthy Island’

WHO recognises Masirah as ‘Healthy Island’

Muscat – Masirah Island has been recognised as the first ‘Healthy Island’ in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the World Health Organization announced on Wednesday.

WHO will hand over the certificate of international recognition to the Ministry of Health at an official ceremony to be held on Sunday in Masirah Island under the auspices of H E Dr Hilal bin Ali al Sabti, Minister of Health.

In Oman, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 72% of all deaths with nearly one in five adults dying from NCDs before the age of 70.

To combat risk factors for NCDs, including tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets, the Government of Oman launched the Healthy Island initiative on Masirah Island in 2022 in collaboration with WHO.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region aimed to address social determinants of health by empowering communities to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Healthy Island Initiative has had a positive impact through activities such as co-funding and constructing a harbour for local fishermen, developing a small market area for economically disadvantaged women, and constructing playgrounds to promote physical activity in children, WHO stated.

WHO’s Healthy Island initiative seeks to create