It takes time to see the impact of positive change on individual lives in cities.
World Health Organization South-East Asia (WHO SEARO) initiated the WHO Regional Healthy City Network for SEAR in 2022. After two years of collaboration with the Regional Lab on Urban Governance for Health and Well-Being (RL-UGHW), cities are being awarded for the first time, marking a major milestone in the development of this network.
Out of the 23 applicants in the region, 11 cities are being awarded as Committed Healthy Cities, including 4 Thai cities: Bangkok, Sadao, Bansuan, and Klongchaun. Recognised for their substantial progress towards becoming WHO Healthy Cities, they have unveiled key initiatives to improve the health of their populations.
Bangkok
“We are honoured to receive the award, which improves the team’s morale and attests to our progress,” said Thosapol Suparee, deputy director-general of the Strategy and Evaluation Department under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in the awarding ceremony for Thai cities in October.
As some communities in Bangkok are inaccessible by car, the city government is working to improve access to healthcare by using data technology. An initiative to provide free checkups for 1 million people in Bangkok allows the city to access personal health data, which in turn enables the creation of a database for urban management.
“We are now able to learn more about their communities and health conditions. In case of emergencies, we will dispatch volunteers and other services to those in need of help,” he said. “So far, the programme has covered around 500,000 people.”
Other domains include the development of physical environment and infrastructure. Bangkok is expanding 15-minute parks within walking distance of 800 metres of most homes. Of 219 target areas, 59 are open, covering 74.1 rai, and include both government and private land, as well as community spaces. To ensure public safety, the city is also installing universally designed walkways, street lights, and CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, Bangkok is committed to creating social equality for all. While making sure that the city is inclusive of seniors, it is organising formal and informal programmes at school to promote diversity among students. Childcare centres and clinics for LGBTQIA+ and elderly people are also available.
Sadao
“We are happy to receive the award, keep up the good work, and move the city forward,” said Watchaphon Paritsutkul, mayor of the Sadao Municipality, Songkla.
He shared that the city is increasing the number of sports facilities and launching campaigns to promote the health of its populations. Some children from disadvantaged backgrounds are going to school without breakfast. The Good Breakfast, Happy Life Programme is the provision of free meals for underweight students. With the support of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), eggs and milk are also being offered to pregnant women and new mothers.
Meanwhile, the Happy Repair Centre offers maintenance of healthcare equipment and rehabilitation of patients using traditional medicine to reduce hospital admissions. Additionally, checkups and follow-up care are conducted on elderly and bedridden patients. While providing a dwelling rehabilitation programme for people with disabilities, Sadao manages an elderly school to promote the well-being of senior residents.
Equally important are environmental initiatives, he added. Sadao is encouraging people to sort out household waste and expanding a landfill facility.
Bansuan
“We are thankful for the award, which encourages us to move the city forward. We are committed to making people happy,” said Vichit Chitwiset, mayor of the Bansuan Municipality, Chonburi.
As Bansuan is quite urbanised and surrounded by factories, the city is increasing green coverage via the expansion of mangrove forests. Moreover, the city has put in place a drainage channel and a trash capture system to address flooding and pollution. With climate change exacerbating environmental risks, it is adopting solar energy and tracking carbon footprint.
Meanwhile, he ensured that populations are well cared for at every stage of life, for instance, by setting up an elderly care centre and making facilities more age-friendly. Caregivers regularly follow up on bedridden patients. Additionally, it has started a community for people with disabilities and created job opportunities for them to reduce inequality.
Other community development projects include waste management, promotion of self-sufficiency principles, and capacity-building of community leaders.
“People are at the heart of our management. We want to make Bansuan a happy home town for all,” he added.
Klongchaun
“Everybody in Klongchaun – not only me but also village health volunteers, doctors, and our folks – is very proud of this award,” said Phaithun Khongdoem, mayor of the Klongchaun Subdistrict Municipality, Surat Thani.
He explained that Klongchaun is a “hybrid area” – that is, an increasingly urbanised countryside. Still, poverty and lack of infrastructure are major problems. For example, lack of personal cars and public transport causes difficulties for those going to hospital.
He shared that Klongchaun manages an elderly school to improve the quality of senior life. Its monthly classrooms cover practical life skills and recreational activities, including using mobile phones and practising traditional medicine. The seniors are highly engaged and interested in these activities. “They come to class earlier than staff,” he laughed.
Klongchaun also provides assistance to those in need, for example, by delivering to hospital seniors, disabled individuals, and bedridden patients. It also offers scholarships to disadvantaged students. For instance, financial aid has been given to a diligent student to complete high school. With the support of this scholarship, she is now studying nursing at college.
Also beneficial to the health and well-being of people is the conservation of community forests, which cover an area of 15,000 rai of land. The Green Globe Institute awarded the subdistrict municipality twice. The Royal Forest Department also proposed its community forests as a model of nature conservation in Southeast Asia alongside the Philippines and Indonesia.
The WHO Regional Healthy City Network for SEAR is an ongoing effort in Thailand and the SEAR region. Cities interested in learning more about the Network can do so here.
Thana Boonlert, Communications Officer
