India Commits USD 85 Million to WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Centre

India Commits USD 85 Million to WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Centre

India Contributes USD 85 Million to WHO's Global Traditional Medicine Centre

India has pledged USD 85 million over the next decade to back the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Gujarat. This commitment aims to bolster the evidence base for traditional medicine and support a cross-sectoral programme to enhance the practice, products, and public use of traditional medicine worldwide.

Significant Commitment

  • Financial Contribution: The financial backing from India, spread from 2022 to 2032, will aid in gathering data and evidence to validate traditional medicine practices.
  • WHO Partnership: This partnership highlights India’s dedication to promoting traditional medicine on a global scale.

Strategic Goals

  • Evidence-Based Practice: The funds will support research to ensure traditional medicine practices are safe and effective.
  • Global Collaboration: The contribution will enhance WHO’s capacity to integrate traditional medicine within national health systems.

Official Statements

  • WHO’s Response: Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, expressed his appreciation for India's strong support and investment in traditional medicine.
  • India’s Perspective: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the Centre’s role in recognizing India’s potential in traditional medicine, underscoring its contribution to global health.

Benefits of Traditional Medicine

Traditional medicine is utilized by billions of people globally. Integrating these practices within national health systems can provide access to healthcare for those often left behind, contributing to the goal of health for all.

Integration and Accessibility

  • Health for All: Integrating traditional practices is crucial for achieving universal health coverage.
  • Global Reach: The Centre aims to benefit all WHO Member States by focusing efforts on traditional medicine research and application.

India’s ongoing support is set to enhance WHO’s capabilities across technical divisions and regions, promoting global collaboration and solidarity in traditional medicine. This substantial contribution from India will also be included in WHO's investment rounds to resource core work from 2025 to 2028.

By supporting the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, India is playing a pivotal role in advancing global health and ensuring traditional medicine’s integration into modern healthcare systems.