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Local Interest Philippines RP cities honored by WHO
Local Interest Philippines RP cities honored by WHO
RP cities honored by WHO |
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| Written by Jennibeth Cabrera | |
| Sunday, 29 October 2006 | |
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Eight cities in the Asia Pacific region as well as Philippines were commended these Saturday, October 28 by the World Health Organization for programs aimed at improving the health of their populations. Dr. Richard Nesbit, WHO's acting regional director for Western Pacific, gave out awards in ceremonies held at Sozhou, China. Given the awards were the cities in the Philippines, Australia, China, Japan, and South Korea for a series of initiatives, together with the promotion of gender-based violence, promotion of breast-feeding and campaign to improve the health of populace living in urban slums. The Regional Director's Award, an honorary appreciation presented to cities that have a track record in continued improvement of the general quality of life of their citizens goes to Japan's Miyakojima city and Australia's Noarlunga city. Miyakojima was commended for programs since 1994 that promotes physical movements. The city has provided walk ways and organized in international triathlon, promoted healthy dietary routine and helped conserve coral reef and water quality. Noarlunga's projects since 1987 have tackled health issues associated to unemployment, multicultural activities and environmental health issues. South Korea's Jeju City was acknowledged for the finest practices in breastfeeding and protecting people at their job places whereas Wonju City, also in South Korea, received a Good Practice Award for inventive approaches to financing health promotion activities. Kunshan city in China's Jiangsu province received two Good Practice awards for their struggle to fight gender-based violence and improve the quality of care through a mother-friendly hospital initiative as well as Marikina City which was awarded for its health emergency preparedness and response planning. Ichikawa City in Japan and Tagaytay city together with Marikina city were given the Best Proposal Awards. $10,000 in seed money was given to Ichikawa City for its plans to advance the health of its urban slum dwellers, $10,000 to Tagaytay city to improve housing, and $5,000 to Marikina city for its emergency preparedness project. The Healthy Cities approach was introduces by WHO almost two decades ago in the Western Pacific region, and more than 100 cities have adopted it since then. Now, more than 400 delegates from 21countries in the Asia- pacific are joined in the Alliance for Healthy Cities' general assembly in Suzhou from Saturday to Monday. |
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