Context:
India is preparing to host 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine on 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit underscores India’s leadership in promoting Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) globally through scientific validation, policy collaboration, and international partnerships.
About the Summit:
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- It is a high-level global health summit convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) to advance traditional medicine through scientific validation and policy collaboration.
- Co-hosted by WHO and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India
- Supported by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Jamnagar, established in partnership with India.
- Theme (2025): “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.”
- It is a high-level global health summit convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) to advance traditional medicine through scientific validation and policy collaboration.
About Traditional Medicine
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- Definition:
- According to WHO, traditional medicine is:
- According to WHO, traditional medicine is:
- Definition:
“The sum total of the knowledge, skill, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures…used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement, or treatment of physical and mental illness.”
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- Holistic Approach:
- Emphasizes balance of mind, body, and environment, focusing on person-centered care.
- Emphasizes balance of mind, body, and environment, focusing on person-centered care.
- Examples of Systems:
- Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani (India)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
- Kampo (Japan)
- Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani (India)
- Holistic Approach:
Relation to Modern Medicine & Drug Discovery:
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- Source of Modern Drugs:
- About 40% of modern pharmaceuticals are based on natural products informed by traditional knowledge.
- About 40% of modern pharmaceuticals are based on natural products informed by traditional knowledge.
- Source of Modern Drugs:
examples:
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- Aspirin from willow bark
- Artemisinin for malaria from Chinese traditional texts
- Some cancer treatments derived from plants
- Aspirin from willow bark
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Challenges and Regulation:
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- Safety & Efficacy:
- Limited systematic evidence for many traditional treatments by modern standards.
- Limited systematic evidence for many traditional treatments by modern standards.
- Standardization:
- Variability in practices and product quality poses risks like contamination.
- Variability in practices and product quality poses risks like contamination.
- Regulation:
- Herbal medicines are regulated in some countries, but practitioners and practices often lack consistent oversight.
- Herbal medicines are regulated in some countries, but practitioners and practices often lack consistent oversight.
- Biodiversity Concerns:
- Use of animal parts in some practices contributes to illegal wildlife trade and species endangerment.
- Use of animal parts in some practices contributes to illegal wildlife trade and species endangerment.
- Safety & Efficacy:
Recent Developments:
WHO Strategy (2025–2034):
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- Focuses on evidence, innovation, and safe integration of TCIM into national health systems.
- Focuses on evidence, innovation, and safe integration of TCIM into national health systems.
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WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM), Jamnagar:
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- Established in 2022 to advance research, knowledge, and international collaboration in traditional medicine.
- Established in 2022 to advance research, knowledge, and international collaboration in traditional medicine.
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Indian Government Initiatives:
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- Integration of AYUSH systems into national healthcare.
- Dedicated research, education, and pharmacovigilance systems for traditional medicine.
- Integration of AYUSH systems into national healthcare.
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Significance of the Summit:
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- Bolsters India’s Soft Power:
- Positions India as a global leader in traditional medicine, building on the success of Yoga and increasing international credibility of Ayurveda.
- Positions India as a global leader in traditional medicine, building on the success of Yoga and increasing international credibility of Ayurveda.
- Strengthens WHO–India Collaboration:
- Enhances the role of WHO-GTMC, Jamnagar, reflecting global trust in India’s traditional knowledge systems.
- Enhances the role of WHO-GTMC, Jamnagar, reflecting global trust in India’s traditional knowledge systems.
- Drives Health System Integration:
- Supports countries in incorporating traditional medicine into universal health coverage, primary healthcare, and public health programs.
- Supports countries in incorporating traditional medicine into universal health coverage, primary healthcare, and public health programs.
- Bolsters India’s Soft Power:
Conclusion:
The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is a landmark event for India, highlighting the scientific, cultural, and policy potential of traditional medicine. It strengthens India’s global health leadership, promotes sustainable practices, and paves the way for integrated healthcare models worldwide.
