Healthy Cities initiative places health high on the political and social agenda of cities by promoting health, equity, and sustainable development through innovation and multi-sectoral change. Urbanization is increasing rapidly causing an increased proportion of urban poor with health indicators less than rural India. The Bhopal Healthy City Program (BHCP) strives to work towards the following five pillars; water, sanitation, environment, food, and health. The journey of the Healthy City program starts with designing a Healthy City plan followed by implementation including monitoring of mechanisms. Post which, a midline assessment is to be conducted along with the use of evidence to initiate policy change with a whole government approach. Lastly, to work on an online evaluation, communication, and creating a learning network. Bhopal Healthy City program would begin with all stakeholders agreeing and the creation of a task force that convenes and guides all work. Finally, the development of a baseline for the city and monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
Since the program focuses on the convergence of multiple departments and stakeholders at a city level, the District Collector’s office was considered to be the most suitable place to kick-start the program and engage with city/district level officials, public and private institutions, NGOs, research organizations, and industry.
The 1st city-level meeting was conducted at the Collectorate of Bhopal on Thursday the 8th of December, 2022.