The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government of India signed an agreement to establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat's Jamnagar. 

This global knowledge centre for traditional medicine, supported by an investment of $250 million from the Indian government, aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine from across the world through modern science and technology to improve the health of people and the planet.

Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) in Jamnagar by signing a host country agreement.

Traditional medicine

• Traditional medicine has a long history. It is the sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.

• Its reach encompasses ancient practices such as acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine and herbal mixtures as well as modern medicines.

• The terms “complementary medicine” or “alternative medicine” refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health care system. They are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries.

• Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is an important and often underestimated health resource with many applications, especially in the prevention and management of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, and in meeting the health needs of ageing populations. 

• Around 80 per cent of the world’s population is estimated to use traditional medicine. To date, 170 of the 194 WHO Member States have reported the use of traditional medicine, and their governments have asked for WHO’s support in creating a body of reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and products.

• The sociocultural practice and biodiversity heritages of traditional medicine are invaluable resources to evolve inclusive, diverse sustainable development. 

• Traditional medicine is also part of the growing trillion-dollar global health, wellness, beauty, and pharmaceutical industries.

• Traditional medicine is increasingly prominent in the world of modern science.

• Some 40 per cent of approved pharmaceutical products in use today derive from natural substances, highlighting the vital importance of conserving biodiversity and sustainability. For example, the discovery of aspirin drew on traditional medicine formulations using the bark of the willow tree, the contraceptive pill was developed from the roots of wild yam plants and child cancer treatments have been based on the rosy periwinkle. Nobel-prize winning research on artemisinin for malaria control started with a review of ancient Chinese medicine texts.

• There has been a rapid modernisation of the ways traditional medicine is being studied. Artificial intelligence is now used to map evidence and trends in traditional medicine and to screen natural products for pharmacokinetic properties. Functional magnetic resonance imaging is used to study brain activity and the relaxation response that is part of some traditional medicine therapies such as meditation and yoga, which are increasingly drawn on for mental health and wellbeing in stressful times.

• In addition, traditional medicine use has also been updated by mobile phone apps, online classes, and other technologies.

WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine

• The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) is a knowledge centre for traditional medicine.

• It will the first and only global outposted centre for traditional medicine across the globe and established under the ministry of AYUSH. 

• While Jamnagar will serve as the hub, the new centre is being designed to engage and benefit all regions of the world.

• It will concentrate on building a solid evidence base for policies and standards on traditional medicine practices and products and help countries integrate it as appropriate into their health systems and regulate its quality and safety for optimal and sustainable impact.

The new centre focuses on four main strategic areas: 

i) Evidence and learning.

ii) Data and analytics.

iii) Sustainability and equity.

iv) Innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health and sustainable development.

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