The 78th session of the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), will convene in Geneva beginning 19th May 2025. A prominent feature of this year’s agenda will be a high-level segment dedicated to traditional medicine, under the theme “Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Heritage to Frontier Science, for Health for All.” This segment will be held under the auspices of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, a coalition of WHO Member States that supports the integration of traditional medical practices into contemporary healthcare systems.
The WHO has officially confirmed the session to India’s Ministry of Ayush, which is spearheading the country’s participation in the initiative. According to Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, the platform will allow WHO member countries to discuss ways to incorporate traditional medicine into mainstream health frameworks. He emphasized that the session represents a significant opportunity to highlight the role of ancient healing systems in advancing public health globally. India’s involvement in this initiative is of particular importance given its longstanding traditions and expertise in alternative medicine.
The Ministry of Ayush oversees a broad range of practices under the AYUSH umbrella Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy. These systems have been integral to India’s healthcare approach for centuries and continue to serve as foundational elements of wellness for millions across the country. The upcoming segment at the World Health Assembly reflects growing international recognition of the role traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine can play in achieving universal health coverage.
Discussions are expected to focus on research, innovation, and policy strategies to bring traditional knowledge into alignment with modern health systems and sustainable development goals. India has taken a leadership role in promoting the global relevance of its traditional medicine systems. The establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat, which aims to support scientific research and policy development, underscores India’s strategic push to globalize its centuries-old health wisdom. As delegations from all 194 WHO Member States gather in Geneva, the inclusion of traditional medicine on the global health agenda marks a notable development.
The high-level segment is anticipated to build consensus around evidence-based integration of traditional practices, enhancing access to holistic care worldwide. India’s contributions to this discourse reflect its commitment to fostering inclusive, diverse, and sustainable healthcare models. By drawing on its rich heritage of Ayurveda and related systems, India continues to position itself at the forefront of global efforts to harmonize traditional and modern medical sciences. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.