In a groundbreaking development for global healthcare, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush have officially sealed a ‘Project Collaboration Agreement’ in Geneva, Switzerland. This move signifies a significant step towards integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine into mainstream global healthcare systems, emphasizing quality, safety, and international dissemination.
WHO & Ministry of Ayush: Pioneering Traditional and Complementary Medicine Integration
In a move that holds vast implications for global healthcare, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have formalized a ‘Project Collaboration Agreement’ in Geneva. The objective of this landmark agreement is to standardize Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems, ensuring their quality and safety are incorporated into the National Health System. The collaboration aims to bridge these systems with mainstream healthcare, aligning with the Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34.
Key Goals of the Collaboration:
- Integration with National Health System: The collaboration aims to bring Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems into the mainstream of the National Health System, as outlined in the Traditional Medicine Global Strategy 2025-34.
- Strengthening Training in Complementary Medicine: A key focus is placed on strengthening training and practice in the field of the Complementary Medicine System, specifically ‘Siddha.’
- Guidelines and Safety Protocols: The formulation of guidelines for the listing of Traditional and Complementary Medicines, safety protocols, and related efforts are outlined in the agreement.
- International Herbal Pharmacopoeia: The Ministry, in collaboration with the WHO, will develop an International Herbal Pharmacopoeia focusing on herbs found in South-East Asia.
Leadership Perspectives:
Union Ayush Minister Sarbananda Sononwal sees this collaboration as a significant stride towards India’s recognition on the global healthcare stage, emphasizing India’s rich heritage in traditional and alternative medical systems. Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Ayush Secretary, anticipates the first phase of the agreement (2023-2028) to be a milestone in the global development of Traditional and Complementary Medical Systems.
Global Commitment:
Indra Mani Pandey, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, reiterated India’s commitment to working with the WHO to strengthen Traditional Medicine Systems globally. This collaboration marks the third between the Ministry of Ayush and the WHO, with previous agreements focusing on taking Traditional Medical systems like Yoga, Ayurveda, Unani, and Panchakarma to the global level.
