Ayush ministry signs MoU with WHO to create module for traditional Indian medicine
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NEW DELHI: In a step aimed towards global recognition of India's traditional medicine systems, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
Signed by the Ayush Ministry on Saturday, the agreement aims to integrate traditional Indian practices- such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani- into WHO's international health intervention classification system.
During the 122nd episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the development saying, "Friends, something has happened in the field of Ayurveda... Just yesterday, i.e.
on 24th May, an MoU was signed in the presence of WHO Director General and my friend Tulsi Bhai," he said.
He added, 'Along with this agreement, work has started on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will help in making Ayush reach maximum number of people across the world in a scientific manner.'
The ICHI system, which complements WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), enables systematic documentation and coding of medical treatments and interventions.
The new module will formally recognise therapies like Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha procedures in globally standardised terms.
According to the Ayush Ministry, the benefits of this initiative include improved billing and pricing mechanisms, better integration of Ayush services into health insurance frameworks, streamlined hospital administration, enhanced clinical documentation, and stronger foundations for health research.
Notably, the module will support global access to Ayush interventions and position traditional Indian medicine as an evidence-based component of international healthcare systems.
Welcoming the partnership, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus posted on X, 'Pleased to sign an agreement for a $3 million contribution from #India to @WHO's work on traditional medicine and the International Classification of Health Interventions, with @moAyush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha.
We welcome India's continued commitment to #HealthForAll.'
The combined framework of ICD-11 and ICHI is expected to significantly bolster India's efforts to embed its traditional health systems within global healthcare governance and practice- underpinned by scientific validation and international standards.
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