WHO’s first Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

August 18, 2023

GS Paper II International Relations

Context:

Recently, the first World Health Organization Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was inaugurated at Gandhinagar, Gujarat alongside the G20 Health Ministers meet.

Key Highlights of WHO’s first Global Summit on Traditional Medicine:

Fusing Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science: By embracing ancient wisdom and modern science, the G-20 nations could collectively work towards achieving the UN’s health-related Sustainable Development Goals.
- SDG 3 aspires to ensure health and well-being for all, including a bold commitment to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other communicable diseases by 2030.
Facilitating International Dialogue: It offers an unparalleled platform for international dialogue and collaboration in traditional and complementary medicine.
Spotlighting Contributions to Contemporary Health Challenges: The summit aspires to spotlight traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine’s key contributions to addressing contemporary health challenges.

What is Traditional Medicine?

Traditional Medicine refers to healing practices, knowledge, and approaches that have been passed down through generations within various cultures and societies.
- For Example: Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa.
It encompasses a wide range of health and wellness practices that are rooted in traditional beliefs, experiences, and cultural heritage.

Sowa Rigpa:

It is also known as “Amchi Medicine” or “Tibetan Medicine,” is a traditional system of medicine that originated in Tibet.
It offers a holistic approach to healthcare that encompasses medical, spiritual, and philosophical aspects.

WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM)

It is a knowledge centre for traditional medicine located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
It has a strategic focus on evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health and sustainable development.

News Source: PIB