India and WHO Collaborate to Integrate Traditional Medicine into Global Health Framework

In a significant move to globalize India's traditional medicine systems, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative aims to integrate traditional Indian medical practices, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani, into the global health framework by standardizing and classifying these interventions at an international level.

The ICHI, complementing WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), documents treatments and health interventions administered. The inclusion of a Traditional Medicine module will allow therapies from India's Ayush systems to be recognized in globally standardized terms. This encompasses procedures such as Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha treatments.

The standardization is expected to bring multiple benefits:

• Transparent billing and fair pricing for Ayush services

• Smoother integration of Ayush treatments into health insurance coverage

• Enhanced hospital management and clinical documentation

• Facilitation of health research involving traditional medicine

• Greater global accessibility to Ayush interventions

This development aligns with India's vision of bringing its rich heritage of traditional wisdom into the global healthcare mainstream, backed by scientific classification and international standards.

Alongside the MoU, India has committed a $3 million contribution to WHO's work on traditional medicine and the development of the ICHI module. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged this support, stating, "Pleased to sign an agreement for a $3 million contribution from India to WHO's work on traditional medicine and the International Classification of Health Interventions.

This collaboration is part of a broader effort to position India's traditional medicine systems on the global stage. Previously, India committed $85 million over ten years (2022–2032) to support the operations of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The GTMC serves as a knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), aiming to advance health and well-being worldwide.

The integration of the Traditional Medicine module into ICHI is more than a coding update; it represents a transformative step toward affordable, accessible, and trusted healthcare through India's traditional systems. By establishing standardized classifications, Ayush practices can be more effectively incorporated into global health policies and systems, ensuring their recognition and utilization in diverse healthcare settings.

This initiative underscores India's commitment to sharing its traditional knowledge systems with the world, promoting holistic health approaches, and contributing to the global pursuit of health for all.

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Sakshi Thakar/MSM)