|
Global summit on traditional medicine culminates today in New Delhi with vision for integrated healthcare
|
|
Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
December 19 , 2025
|
|
|
The second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will conclude today at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. It is a significant three-day gathering that has brought together the world’s leading voices in holistic health.
Since its commencement on December 17, the summit has served as a critical platform for policymakers, scientists, and practitioners from over 100 countries to deliberate on the theme ‘Restoring Balance - The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to grace the closing ceremony today, marking the culmination of a global dialogue aimed at weaving traditional wisdom into the fabric of modern medicine.
The summit was inaugurated on December 17 by Union health minister JP Nadda and Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav, with a special video message from WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Dr. Tedros praised India’s leadership in traditional medicine, emphasizing that the newly adopted WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 will prioritize evidence-based science and the integration of traditional systems into primary healthcare. A major highlight of the opening was the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), a massive digital repository containing over 1.5 million records to support global research and quality standards.
As part of the summit’s technical sessions, a high-level delegation of 53 participants visited the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) to witness India’s institutional approach to Yoga. Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, director of MDNIY, provided a first-hand look at how Yoga is being integrated into vital sectors like defence and education. Redefining the practice, Prof. Samagandi stated, ‘Yoga is not about a ‘workout,’ but a ‘work-in.’ It is not merely about the bending of the body, but the bonding of the mind and body’, highlighting Yoga's unique ability to align with the WHO’s mandate for Universal Health Coverage.
During the site visit, delegates participated in a ‘Y-Break’ (Yoga Break) session, a highly successful module on the iGOT Karmayogi platform that has benefited over 33 lakh Indian government officials. The delegation, including representatives from Bhutan and Burkina Faso, explored the institute's NABH-accredited OPD and research facilities. Kinga Jamphel, director general of Health for the Royal Government of Bhutan, noted the value of MDNIY’s research in treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while others expressed keen interest in future international collaborations based on the evidence-based models showcased in New Delhi.
Throughout the event, technical discussions have focused on the therapeutic potential of traditional herbs, with a dedicated session on Ashwagandha. Experts from the UK, Germany, and India debated the need for rigorous clinical research and standardized formulations to ensure that traditional medicines meet the same safety benchmarks as conventional pharmaceuticals. These sessions underscored a shift in global health thinking, moving away from viewing traditional medicine as an informal alternative toward treating it as a credible, evidence-driven partner in public health.
The summit also highlighted India's pioneering efforts in digital health and standardization, specifically the launch of the ICD-11 Module 2, which integrates Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani morbidity codes into international health classifications. Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav noted that India’s international cooperation is expanding rapidly, with 104 annual scholarships for foreign nationals and the upcoming completion of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar by October 2025. This institutional strengthening is seen as a decisive step toward global harmonization of traditional knowledge.
Dignitaries from diverse biocultural regions, including South Africa and Malaysia, called for holistic approaches that protect biodiversity and uphold Indigenous rights. The summit reinforced the understanding that health is rooted in the balance between individuals, communities, and the environment. Discussions on the ‘Ayush Grid’ and the use of artificial intelligence to validate ancient knowledge systems demonstrated how modern technology can be leveraged to document and protect traditional medical heritage while ensuring fair benefit-sharing for local communities.
As the summit concludes today, it leaves behind a roadmap for the future of global healthcare, one that is inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in equity. The multi-stakeholder Action Agenda, set to be finalized in the closing hours, will guide the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy over the next decade. By fostering international synergy, the second WHO Global Summit has successfully positioned traditional medicine as a vital catalyst for restoring harmony between people and the planet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOPICS
|
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has issued a public advisory urging citizens to report any misleadi ...
|
|
|
|
|