Context
Recently, the Prime Minister along with the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General will perform the groundbreaking ceremony for the first-of-its-kind WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
What is traditional medicine?
- The WHO describes traditional medicine as the total sum of the “knowledge, skills and practices indigenous and different cultures have used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illness”.
- Its reach encompasses ancient practices such as acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine and herbal mixtures as well as modern medicines.
- Traditional medicine in India is often defined as including practices and therapies — such as yoga, Ayurveda, Siddha — that have been part of Indian tradition historically, as well as others — such as homeopathy — that became part of Indian tradition over the years.
- Ayurveda and yoga are practised widely across the country.
- The Siddha system is followed predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- The Sowa-Rigpa system is practised mainly in Leh-Ladakh and Himalayan regions such as Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Lahaul & Spiti.
About WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine
- The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is the first of its kind in the world.
- Location: Jamnagar, Gujarat
- While Jamnagar will serve as the base, the new Centre aims to engage and benefit the world.
- Aim: The Centre aims to channel the potential of traditional medicine, by integrating it with technological advancements and evidence-based research.
- Focus area: The GCTM shall focus on four main strategic areas to optimize the contribution of traditional medicine to global health:
- evidence and learning
- data and analytics
- sustainability and equity
- innovation and technology
