Under the leadership of Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council, Deputy Chairman of the Higher Education Council Board of Trustees, the Higher Education Council in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, organised an introductory meeting at RCSI Bahrain on the implementation of the WHO Health-Promoting Universities Initiative, which aims to create healthy universities that contribute to providing an educational environment and an organisational culture that promotes the society’s health, well-being and sustainability.

The meeting was attended by Dr Maryam Al-Hajri, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr Samar El Feky, Regional Adviser for Health Promotion and Social Determinants of Health, World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO EMRO), Dr Tasnim Atatrah, WHO representative and Head of Office in Bahrain, and a number of officials from Department of Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health and representatives of public and private universities in Bahrain.

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa highlighted in her address to the attendees that the physical and psychological health of the community in Bahrain is a fundamental pillar in promoting sustainability and maintaining the same is essential to supporting the Kingdom’s endeavours to achieve human and societal development. This requires a joint commitment between various entities, including higher education institutions.

The Secretary General added that in accordance with standards set by the WHO, the Health-Promoting Universities Initiative aims to make universities a tool for promoting a healthy lifestyle and providing sustainable and healthier options for students, faculty and staff in higher education institutions, to enable them to achieve their full potential.

Dr Al-Hajri affirmed the Ministry of Health’s interest and keenness to implement the WHO Health-Promoting Universities Initiative, pointing out that the Ministry of Health pays great attention to promoting healthy lifestyles, which is a cornerstone disease prevention.

During the meeting, Dr Samar El Feky gave a detailed explanation of the initiative, the implementation mechanism and the target groups. She also praised the pioneering efforts undertaken by the Ministry of Health in Bahrain to promote health and sustainability at all levels and sectors.

On her part, Dr Atatrah commented on the support provided to the Ministry of Health with finding integrated quality health strategies, in cooperation with the Higher Education Council and higher education institutions, pointing out that the health status of students is one of the primary goals in the implementation of the healthy universities initiative.

RCSI Bahrain extends its gratitude to Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, the Ministry of Health and WHO delegates for paving the way forward towards better health and wellbeing in the Kingdom of Bahrain.