WHO says Limerick is healthy? That’s a question that Limerick City and County Council is hoping to answer as it bids for a European Healthy Cities and Counties accreditation from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Council representatives met with officials from the WHO to advance a bid for the Treaty to be given accreditation under the initiative, which aims to laud a destination’s commitment to promoting health and wellbeing for all residents.
Established in 1987, the WHO Healthy Cities Network emphasises the role of local governments in contributing to the health and sustainable development in their area. It spans 20 countries within the WHO EU region, including over 1,800 cities, counties, and towns.
According to the Council, accredited regions are “committed to delivering benefits for both people and planet” and “engage all communities in the pursuit of peace and prosperity, tackle inequalities, and promote good governance and leadership for health and wellbeing”.
A meeting was recently held between Mayor John Moran, Minister of State at the Department of Public Health Colm Burke, HSE Regional Executive Officer Sandra Broderick, WHO EU Healthy Cities Network lead Kira Fortune, as well as Department of Health and other local authority representatives to discuss Limerick’s bid to gain the prestigious WHO accreditation.
The next step in the process is for Mayor Moran to submit an official request for the accreditation, followed by the development of a comprehensive Limerick health profile detailing population and other key health determinants. Following this, the Council will submit a formal application to the WHO.
