The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially designated the Saudi Public Health Authority “Weqaya” as a Collaborating Centre for Nutrition in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, according to an announcement made by the Saudi Press Agency on December 15, 2024. This accreditation enables Weqaya to operate within WHO’s international cooperation network, advancing activities aligned with the organization’s nutrition programs to improve public health across the region.
Context and Background
Weqaya, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s leading public health authority, has long been recognized for its expertise in disease prevention and health promotion. This latest designation positions Weqaya as a key contributor to WHO’s global nutrition strategy, addressing critical challenges such as obesity, non-communicable diseases, and nutritional surveillance. The collaboration reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in international health governance, particularly within the Eastern Mediterranean region, where public health challenges require coordinated and evidence-based responses.
Key Details
As a WHO Collaborating Centre, Weqaya will prioritize several key areas, including combating obesity, addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases, enhancing monitoring systems and nutritional surveys to improve data quality, and developing technical capacities for evaluating the impact of nutritional policies and interventions. The accreditation integrates Weqaya into WHO’s global network of over 800 collaborating centers in more than 80 countries, which collectively address a range of health challenges, including infectious diseases, mental health, and chronic conditions. Saudi Arabia now hosts over nine WHO Collaborating Centres, contributing expertise across various health fields.
Implications and Impact
This milestone underscores Saudi Arabia’s leadership in global health initiatives, fostering regional cooperation and innovation in public health. By leveraging Weqaya’s technical proficiency, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region can expect improved data quality, more effective nutritional policies, and enhanced capacity to address the growing burden of diet-related diseases. This designation also strengthens the Kingdom’s diplomatic ties with international health organizations and reinforces its role as a hub for public health excellence in the Middle East.
Vision 2030 Alignment
The recognition of Weqaya as a WHO Collaborating Centre aligns with Vision 2030’s goal to enhance the quality of life and health standards within the Kingdom and beyond. By advancing nutrition science and public health interventions, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a healthier, more resilient society as part of its long-term national transformation strategy.
20 Questions
Q1. What is the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre designation?
A1. It is a formal recognition by the WHO that allows an institution to support the organization’s programs and activities in a specific health field, using its own resources and expertise.
Q2. Which Saudi entity received this designation for nutrition?
A2. The Public Health Authority “Weqaya” received the designation as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Q3. When was the designation announced by the Saudi Press Agency?
A3. The announcement was made on December 15, 2024, as per the official report from the Saudi Press Agency.
Q4. What region does this Collaborating Centre serve?
A4. The centre serves the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which includes countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
Q5. What are the key priority areas for Weqaya as a Collaborating Centre?
A5. The priority areas include combating obesity, addressing risk factors for non-communicable diseases, improving nutritional surveys, and evaluating the impact of nutritional policies.
Q6. How many WHO Collaborating Centres are there globally?
A6. There are over 800 WHO Collaborating Centres in more than 80 countries around the world.
Q7. How many WHO Collaborating Centres does Saudi Arabia host?
A7. Saudi Arabia now hosts over nine WHO Collaborating Centres, covering various health fields.
Q8. What is the broader significance of this designation for Saudi Arabia?
A8. It highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to global health leadership and its role in advancing nutrition initiatives regionally and internationally.
Q9. How does this designation relate to Vision 2030?
A9. The designation supports Vision 2030’s goal of enhancing quality of life and health standards, aligning with efforts to build a healthier society.
Q10. What kind of health challenges does WHO’s collaborating network address?
A10. The network addresses a range of challenges, including infectious diseases, mental health, and chronic conditions like non-communicable diseases.
Q11. Will Weqaya’s new role benefit only Saudi Arabia?
A11. No, it benefits the entire Eastern Mediterranean Region by improving regional cooperation, data quality, and public health interventions.
Q12. What technical capacities will Weqaya develop through this collaboration?
A12. Weqaya will develop capacities for evaluating the impact of nutritional policies and interventions, as well as improving monitoring systems.
Q13. What is the role of the Saudi Press Agency in this announcement?
A13. The Saudi Press Agency serves as the official source, reporting on the designation and detailing Weqaya’s responsibilities and goals.
Q14. How does obesity relate to non-communicable diseases?
A14. Obesity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers, making its prevention a key public health priority.
Q15. What is Weqaya’s core mission in public health?
A15. Weqaya’s core mission is to protect and promote public health through disease prevention, health promotion, and evidence-based policies.
Q16. How does this accreditation promote regional cooperation?
A16. It facilitates knowledge sharing, technical exchanges, and coordinated public health efforts among countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
Q17. What is the expected impact on nutritional data quality?
A17. The collaboration aims to improve monitoring systems and surveys, leading to more accurate and comprehensive data for policy decisions.
Q18. How does this designation align with Saudi Arabia’s international health goals?
A18. It reinforces the Kingdom’s leadership in global health initiatives and its commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals related to health.
Q19. Will Weqaya collaborate with other WHO Collaborating Centres?
A19. Yes, being part of WHO’s global network allows Weqaya to collaborate with other centres worldwide and share expertise.
Q20. What is the long-term benefit for public health in the region?
A20. The long-term benefit includes reduced rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases, improved nutritional health, and stronger public health systems across the region.
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