India partners with WHO to mainstream Ayush globally through agreement on traditional medicine interventions
New Delhi: In a landmark development poised to transform the global standing of traditional medicine systems, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on May 24, according to the official statement.
The agreement marks the beginning of work on a dedicated Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
As per the official statement, highlighting the significance of this achievement during the 122nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Friends, something has happened in the field of Ayurveda as well, which you will be very happy to know about.
Just yesterday, on 24th May, an MoU was signed in the presence of the WHO Director General and my friend Tulsi Bhai. Along with this agreement, work has started on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will help Ayush reach a maximum number of people across the world in a scientific manner."
The ICHI, complementing WHO's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), documents what treatments and health interventions are administered. With the inclusion of a traditional medicine module, therapies from Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani systems--such as Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha procedures--will now be recognised in globally standardised terms.
This will bring about multiple benefits:
*Transparent billing and fair pricing for Ayush services.
*Smoother integration of Ayush treatments in health insurance coverage.
* Enhanced hospital management, clinical documentation, and health research.
* Most importantly, greater global accessibility to Ayush interventions.
This development aligns with India's vision of bringing its rich heritage of traditional wisdom into the global healthcare mainstream, backed by scientific classification and international standards.
Welcoming the agreement, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X: "Pleased to sign an agreement for a USD 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 impact of ICD-11 for diseases and the new ICHI module for interventions will ensure that Ayush becomes an integral, evidence-based, and policy-recognised part of global healthcare systems.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
2 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
COVID-19 cases rise in Eastern Mediterranean
Cairo, Egypt – COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise across the Eastern Mediterranean Region, in line with global trends, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. The recent increase is driven by the NB.1.8.1 variant, which is under monitoring but currently poses no additional health risks compared to earlier strains. The current wave mirrors seasonal surges observed last year, with no abnormal or unexpected virus activity reported. Hospitalisations and demand for intensive care remain low, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region Office confirmed. 'COVID-19 transmission continues at considerable levels in many areas,' said WHO. It reiterated that the global risk level remains high and advised countries to continue monitoring, reporting cases and assessing the burden on healthcare systems. Despite the rise in infections, WHO advised against travel or trade restrictions, stating that current data does not justify such measures. To reduce the risk of infection, people are advised to avoid crowds, wear masks in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and maintain good hygiene practices. 'Clean your hands regularly, cover your nose and mouth when sneezing, and stay home if symptomatic,' WHO stated. Vaccination, including booster doses, remains key to preventing severe illness and death. Existing vaccines continue to be effective against the NB.1.8.1 variant. WHO has urged countries to ensure high-risk groups are up to date with their immunisation schedules. In December 2024, WHO released a new package of recommendations to guide countries in managing ongoing transmission. These include maintaining strong surveillance systems, improving vaccine access, enhancing healthcare delivery, and countering misinformation. Since the global health emergency ended in May 2023, national responses to COVID-19 have varied. Some countries have integrated COVID-19 into routine respiratory health programmes, while others are transitioning toward long-term management. Vaccination continues to play a central role, often delivered alongside seasonal flu and RSV immunisation. WHO said it remains committed to supporting countries by providing technical guidance, coordinating global networks, and helping build essential public health capacities.
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Times of Oman
India, Central Asia pledge joint action on health, climate, and clean energy
New Delhi: At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reiterated their commitment to collaborative approaches to global public health, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The meeting underscored shared priorities, including India's One Earth, One Health vision, the DAKSHIN initiative for South-South cooperation, glacier preservation, and clean energy platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Health cooperation was a core theme of the discussions, with all sides expressing their desire to deepen collaboration in the healthcare sector, including medical tourism. Under the One Earth, One Health framework, the Ministers agreed to jointly enhance healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Central Asia and promote the use of traditional medicine. India offered technical support to help design Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models tailored for Central Asian contexts. The Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Healthcare, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. Capacity building and knowledge sharing remained another key pillar of the dialogue. To further their commitment to South-South cooperation, the Ministers agreed to work closely with India's Global South Centre of Excellence--DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative). The platform will facilitate the exchange of development experiences to solve shared challenges using inclusive and scalable models. Climate resilience and environmental protection are also prominent. The Ministers commended the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31, 2025, organised in observance of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and World Glaciers' Day. The meeting emphasised the vital link between glaciers and sustainable socio-economic development, particularly for mountain regions dependent on freshwater sources, added the statement. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, India highlighted the role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and invited Central Asian nations to join. The Ministers acknowledged ISA's importance as a mechanism for advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and for building clean, inclusive energy futures. India also encouraged participation in related initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The dialogue reflected a growing convergence between India and Central Asia on holistic, cross-sectoral cooperation. The Ministers thanked the Government of India for its warm hospitality and agreed to continue expanding these partnerships in the years ahead.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Times of Oman
11 dead, 33 injured in Bengaluru stampede, Indian PM tweets condolences
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: The Karnataka government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of the deceased killed in the stampede near the Chinnaswamy stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's celebrations on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the government will also provide free treatment to the injured. "A major tragedy occurred during the victory celebrations. It happened near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased. The government will provide free treatment to the injured," the CM said. Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, CM Siddaramaiah said, "11 died and 33 were injured in the stampede. This tragedy should not have happened. The government expresses deep sorrow over this incident." The Karnataka CM further asserted that he has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the matter. "I don't want to defend this incident. Our government will not do politics on this. I have ordered a magisterial inquiry and given 15 days' time. People even broke the gates of the stadium. There was a stampede. No one expected such a huge crowd. The stadium has a capacity of only 35,000 people, but 2-3 lakh people came," CM Siddaramaiah said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, describing it as "absolutely heartrending". In a statement by the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister extended his thoughts to the families of the deceased while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. "The mishap in Bengaluru is absolutely heartrending. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that those who are injured have a speedy recovery: PM Narendra Modi," PMO stated on X.
