Countdown to second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine begins


India leads the world in restoring balance through traditional medicine, said Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, while addressing the curtain raiser for the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine which will be held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from December 17 to 19.
The theme this year is Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being. The event will bring together ministers, policymakers, global health leaders, researchers, experts, industry representatives, and practitioners from over 100 countries.

He said the ministry would host a dedicated side event on Ashwagandha, a renowned and scientifically studied medicinal plant, highlighting its importance in traditional and contemporary health practices. Titled “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts” organised by WHO-GTMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, the session will bring together researchers, policymakers, and clinicians to deepen scientific understanding of the shrub.

As the first edition held in Gujarat in 2023 was ahit, the summit would be an important milestone in the collective global effort to streamline traditional medicine for health, happiness, and well-being of humankind aligning with India’s vision of ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.’

Emphasising India’s global leadership in Traditional Medicine, he said that Ayush systems—Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy—have served people for centuries and are today recognised worldwide as trusted solutions for holistic health. He said the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in partnership with India, reflects the growing global confidence in India’s traditional knowledge systems.

Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus of the WHO South-East Asia Region and Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director-General, emphasised that the summit marks a milestone in advancing global health cooperation. Highlighting the global reliance on traditional medicine, she stressed the need to bridge evidence gaps through research, innovation, and regulatory strengthening.


Managed by ayurvedamagazine.org

Leave a Comment: