BicaraIndonesia.id, Surabaya – The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) has officially issued a Letter of Recognition for Surabaya, making it a part of the Healthy City Network accredited by WHO SEARO.
This recognition serves as an appreciation for Surabaya’s commitment and initiatives in improving the health and well-being of its residents.
The Letter of Recognition was issued on November 27, 2024, and addressed to the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi. WHO acknowledged various programs and activities conducted by the Surabaya City Government to develop the Healthy City concept in line with WHO norms and guidelines.
With the issuance of this Letter of Recognition, Surabaya is now officially part of WHO SEARO’s Healthy City Network and has obtained accreditation as a Healthy City by WHO SEARO.
“Being recognized as a Healthy City by WHO is a tremendous honor for all Surabaya residents. From the beginning, we have been committed to improving the quality of life, health standards, and overall welfare of all citizens without exception,” said Eri Cahyadi in an official statement released on Monday, January 6, 2025.
According to Eri, this achievement is not just about international recognition but also a tangible step toward realizing a healthy city.
“Every resident gains better access to healthcare services, clean and comfortable environments, and community-based social support,” he added.
Several key indicators contributed to Surabaya’s success in obtaining WHO SEARO accreditation and becoming part of the Healthy City Network in Southeast Asia.
These indicators include mapping sanitation in every neighborhood, providing proper sanitation facilities, and achieving 99% access to clean water. Additionally, disease management has been addressed through the “1 RW 1 Health Worker” (R1N1) program and the establishment of auxiliary health centers (Pustu).
“This milestone is the result of our long-term efforts to ensure Surabaya becomes a healthy city. However, we must not become complacent. We will continue to improve and enhance healthcare services to achieve even better outcomes,” Eri emphasized.
Eri further explained that according to WHO, a Healthy City places health, social welfare, equity, and sustainable development at the core of its local policies and programs. This concept is based on principles of the right to health, peace, social justice, gender equality, solidarity, social inclusion, and sustainable development.
“The main approach to implementing the WHO Healthy City concept is cross-sector collaboration, active participation, and community empowerment,” he explained.
There are six WHO Healthy City Networks worldwide, with members divided by geographical regions to facilitate coordination and information dissemination.
The WHO Healthy City Network covers the European Region, the Americas Region, the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the Western Pacific Region, the African Region, and the Southeast Asia Region.
Indonesia is part of WHO’s Healthy City Network in Southeast Asia. The purpose of the WHO SEARO Healthy City Network is to facilitate the expansion and strengthening of Healthy City implementation in the region.
Additionally, it aims to encourage collaboration between healthy cities to enhance capacity and document best practices in implementing the Healthy City concept.
“Joining this network provides an opportunity to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration among Healthy Cities in Southeast Asia and beyond,” he said.
“We also have the chance to participate in training, mentoring, and webinars conducted by regional and global experts to improve the quality of Healthy City implementation,” he added.
The Head of the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda Litbang) of Surabaya, Irvan Wahyudrajad, revealed that the certification process began with Mayor Eri Cahyadi’s initiative to elevate Surabaya after earning the Swasti Saba Wisatara title three times from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Health of Indonesia.
“Mayor Eri registered Surabaya for WHO SEARO accreditation on January 11, 2024. Earlier, on January 9, 2024, the Healthy City Forum issued a commitment letter to fully support this initiative,” Irvan explained.
Surabaya’s participation in WHO’s Healthy City Network marks a significant step in improving the quality of life and health of its residents. It also strengthens Surabaya’s international standing as a city committed to health and sustainable development.
“The Surabaya City Government has successfully met the key principles of WHO’s Healthy City implementation, namely cross-sector collaboration, active participation, and community empowerment. Surabaya is also recognized for enhancing the holistic health of its residents, covering physical, mental, and social well-being,” he concluded. (*/And/A1)
