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.
