THE EDITOR – Makassar City has made another big achievement at the international level. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Southeast Asia Region awarded Healthy City Level 1 Accreditation to Makassar City in recognition of its commitment in realising a sustainable healthy city.
The award was announced through an official WHO letter dated 9 September 2024 addressed to Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto. In the letter, WHO appreciated the Makassar City Government’s concrete steps in developing short and long term local development plans in accordance with the organisation’s guidelines.
“We appreciate Makassar City’s serious efforts in addressing the determinants of health and well-being in urban areas and strengthening health governance,” wrote WHO Southeast Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed.
The accreditation process was conducted through rigorous analyses by WHO and the Regional Laboratory of Urban Governance for Health and Wellbeing. The results of the evaluation showed Makassar to be one of the first cities in Southeast Asia to receive this Level 1 accreditation.
WHO emphasizes the importance of sustaining the efforts that have been made and encourages the Makassar City Government to continue improving the quality of life of the community towards a higher level of accreditation in the next two years. As a token of appreciation, WHO will send an award plaque engraved with the name of Makassar City.
Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto warmly welcomed the award and emphasized that this achievement is the result of the cooperation of all elements of society.
“This award is clear evidence that our hard work in creating a healthy city has paid off. We are committed to continue improving health governance and the welfare of the people of Makassar,” he said.
WHO also invites Makassar City Government to share their successful experience through written and audio-visual publications on WHO website and social media. This aims to inspire other cities in Southeast Asia to follow Makassar’s footsteps in realising a healthier urban environment.
With this Healthy City Level 1 Accreditation award, Makassar has further strengthened its position as one of the pilot cities in Southeast Asia in creating a healthy, comfortable, and sustainable urban environment.
