WHO 'Healthy City and County' accreditation given to Waterford

Waterford City and County have been accredited with the World Health Organisation's 'Healthy' status.

It means Waterford joins a prestigious network of cities across Europe recognised for their commitment to placing health, equity and sustainability at the centre of local governance and development.

The accreditation was accepted by Cllr Damien Geoghegan at the WHO's Healthy Cities Conference in Bursa, Turkey.

This prestigious recognition acknowledges Waterford's unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of its citizens through comprehensive and sustainable initiatives.

Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drug Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor TD, welcomed the announcement that the National Healthy Cities and Counties of Ireland Network, and the cities of Waterford, Galway and Limerick were officially accredited by the WHO as European Healthy City in Phase VII (2019-2025).

A spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council said the WHO Healthy Cities and Counties programme is a global movement that recognises cities and towns committed to health and sustainable development. 

"It is not a health status award, but rather an acknowledgement of a political, institutional and technical commitment to continuously improve the health and wellbeing of its people," said the spokesperson in a statement to Waterford News & Star.

The designation reflects collaborative effort across local government, health services, community groups, businesses, and residents to create an environment that supports optimal health and wellbeing for all.

Speaking about the designation, Mayor of Waterford City and County, Cllr. Jason Murphy said: “We are absolutely thrilled and immensely proud to receive the WHO Healthy City and County designation. This is a monumental achievement for Waterford, reflecting the dedication and hard work of countless individuals and organisations across our city and county."

“It underscores our commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and healthy environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive," said Cllr Murphy.

Meanwhile, the local authority spokesperson said the journey to becoming a WHO Healthy City and County was made possible through the collaborative efforts of many key partners. 

They included those involved with the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and a wide range of other dedicated agencies such as HSE, SETU, WWETB, Waterford PPN, Waterford Area Partnership, Waterford Leader, and Waterford CYPSC.

"Their collective expertise has been instrumental in developing and implementing initiatives across various crucial areas," said the spokesperson.

Waterford City and County Council Chief Executive, Sean McKeown underscored that collaborative success, stating: “This designation is a testament to the ongoing commitment of both the LCDC, through its dedicated stakeholders, and Waterford City and County Council. It clearly demonstrates that health and wellbeing remain a key priority for us under our Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP).” 

The local authority spokesperson went on to say: "Waterford's WHO designation serves as a foundation for continuous development and improvement. Waterford will keep collaborating with the WHO and other international Healthy Cities and Counties to exchange best practices and gain insights from global experiences."

She also said the application received support from the Department of Health and Healthy Ireland Local Government and the recognition marked a significant milestone for Waterford, "solidifying its position as a forward-thinking region, prioritising the holistic wellbeing of its population".