The World Health Organization is to launch a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine after signing an agreement with the Government of India.
The centre, which will be based at Jamnagar, Gujarat, will be a global knowledge centre for traditional medicine and will be supported by a $250 million US investment from the Government of India.
It aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine through modern science and technology to improve the health of people and the planet.
WHO says 170 of its 194 member states report using traditional medicine, and their governments have asked for its support in creating a body of reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and products.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “For many millions of people around the world, traditional medicine is the first port of call to treat many diseases.
“Ensuring all people have access to safe and effective treatment is an essential part of WHO’s mission, and this new centre will help to harness the power of science to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine. I’m grateful to the Government of India for its support, and we look forward to making it a success.”
Mr Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, described the agreement as a “commendable initiative”, adding: “It is heartening to learn about the signing of the Host Country Agreement for the establishment of Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM).
“Through various initiatives, our government has been tireless in its endeavour to make preventive and curative healthcare, affordable and accessible to all. May the global centre at Jamnagar help in providing the best healthcare solutions to the world.”
Traditional medicine encompasses ancient practices such as acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine and herbal mixtures as well as modern medicines, but national health systems and strategies do not yet fully integrate traditional medicine workers, accredited courses, health facilities, and health expenditures.
It is also increasingly prominent in the world of modern science, with about 40% of approved pharmaceutical products deriving from natural substances, while artificial intelligence is used to map evidence and trends in traditional medicine and to screen natural products for pharmacokinetic properties.
The new WHO centre will focus on four main strategic areas: evidence and learning; data and analytics; sustainability and equity; and innovation and technology.
The onsite launch will take place on 21 April 2022.
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