Madinah declared Middle East’s second healthiest city by WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has once again recognised the Saudi city of Madinah as a ‘healthy city,’ and ranked it as the second healthiest urban center in the Middle East.

As reported by the Saudi Press Agency, the recognition was granted after Madinah successfully fulfilled 80 rigorous health and urban planning standards set by the WHO.

A formal certification ceremony was held in Madinah, where the Governor of the Madinah Region, Prince Salman bin Sultan, received the accolade from Saudi Minister of Health Fahd Al-AlJalajel.

Prince Salman emphasised that Madinah’s reaffirmed status reflects the Saudi leadership’s commitment to human-centric development and its broader vision to enhance the quality of life in urban environments.

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He further noted that the city is undergoing ongoing transformation in both the urban and healthcare sectors, establishing itself as a regional and global model of progress.

The WHO’s evaluation criteria cover various indicators such as access to green spaces and parks, availability of walking tracks, primary healthcare facilities, and health-focused education in schools.

Alongside Madinah and Jeddah, 14 other Saudi cities, including Taif, Tabuk, Ad-Diriyah, Unaizah, Jala Jil, Al-Mandaq, Al-Jumum, Riyadh Al-Khabura, and Sharura, have also received the ‘healthy city’ designation.