The Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization signed a Donor Agreement at a signing ceremony held at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva in July 2024. The agreement outlines the financial terms for the activities of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) is acknowledged as the leading source of knowledge for evidence-based Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) that aims to promote the health and well-being of individuals and the planet.
Key Signatories and Attendees at the Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony held recently saw the presence of several high-ranking officials who graced the occasion. The key attendees at the ceremony included:
- His Excellency Shri Arindam Bagchi: Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Geneva, who signed the documents on behalf of the Ministry of AYUSH.
- Dr. Bruce Aylward : Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course, who signed on behalf of the World Health Organization.
- Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha : Secretary, AYUSH, who attended the ceremony virtually.
- Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla : Director, WHO GTMC, who moderated the event.
- Dr. Razia Pendse : Chef de Cabinet, who presented the vote of thanks at the ceremony representing the Director-General, World Health Organization.
Significance of the present agreement
- Under this new initiative of cooperation between India and the World Health Organization (WHO), WHO will provide a donation of US$ 85 million over a period of 10 years (2022-2032) for the operation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) located in Jamnagar, Gujarat state of India.
- This move is an important milestone in the field of traditional medicine and reflects India’s commitment to promote traditional medicine globally.
- The establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat is a significant effort to establish the first and only global out-post centre (office) of traditional medicine in the entire world.
- Traditional medicine comprises knowledge, skills, and practices of different cultures for maintaining health and treating physical and mental ailments.
- There are six major recognized systems of traditional medicine in India: Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homeopathy.
Collaborative efforts between Ministry of AYUSH and World Health Organization
Collaborative efforts between the Ministry of AYUSH and World Health Organization (WHO) represent significant progress in the field of traditional medicine. This partnership focuses on the following key aspects:
- Development of standard documents: Ministry of AYUSH and WHO are jointly developing standard documents for training and practice of Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems. These documents aim to ensure standardization and credibility of these traditional systems of medicine.
- Creation of WHO Glossary: A specific glossary is being developed for traditional medicine systems, which will be recognized by WHO. This glossary will make the principles and procedures of traditional medicine clear and understandable as per international standards.
- Improvement in International Classification of Diseases: A second module is being introduced to include traditional medicine as a new category in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This module will give global recognition to the treatments and techniques of traditional medicine.
- Development of m-Yoga Apps: Mobile apps like m-Yoga are being developed to promote yoga and other traditional medicine systems through digital medium. These apps will provide yoga practices and other health tips to users. Through these efforts, including WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Indian traditional medicine systems will play an important role in establishing them on the global platform. These initiatives will give international recognition to traditional medicine and help spread its benefits globally.