WHO Includes Traditional Medicine in Health Module

World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a groundbreaking decision by introducing a new module concerning traditional medicine in its 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This inclusion ensures that healthcare systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are internationally recognized.

This act by WHO marks a monumental step towards the systematic tracking and global integration of traditional medicine. Subsequently, these traditional healthcare systems will be officially documented and categorized, alongside conventional medical conditions. The module specifically dedicated to traditional medicine conditions aids in popularizing Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani worldwide. Furthermore, the inclusion underlines the efforts of WHO towards inclusivity, with ancient medicines being positioned on the same level as contemporary health practices in global health dialogues.

The Ministry of AYUSH announced this development in a press release dated February 19, 2025. The Secretary of India’s Ministry of AYUSH praised the update, describing it as "a significant step toward the global integration of traditional medicine."

The year-long testing and deliberations that occurred after the launch of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11 TM-2 in January 2024 contributed to the recent update in ICD-11, including a new module dedicated to traditional medicine conditions. The traditional medicine chapter is a formative step for the integration of traditional medicine conditions into a classification standard used in conventional medicine. ^[1]

Key Benefits of the New Module

The new update allows healthcare providers to use dual coding for both traditional and conventional medicine diagnosis, enabling comprehensive data collection on the use and effectiveness of traditional medicine practices. This, in turn, elevates the status of traditional approaches in global health reporting, research and policymaking.

The decision further assists in evidence-based policymaking, enhancement of patient care (by incorporating such medical practices into clinical decision-making), and promotion of holistic inclusive medical care globally.

The Ayush Ministry praised WHO for the inclusion of the 'Traditional Medicine Conditions' module in ICD-11, as it is a pivotal step toward acknowledging the irrefutable role of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in the modern healthcare landscape. Another major contribution of this introduction is its significance in utilizing the therapeutic potential of the ancient health systems to supplement the sustainable development goals.

Reference:

1. World Health Organization. "Traditional Medicine." WHO. Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/traditional-medicine.

‌(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Jithin Paul/MSM)