Traditional medicine has been central to people’s health and well-being across cultures and countries for centuries. It has contributed to foundational medical texts and modern scientific breakthroughs. Landmark drugs like aspirin and artemisinin, as well as practices like yoga and meditation, originate from traditional medicine. Traditional medicine is at the frontiers of modern science and health care with advances in genomics and artificial intelligence, and personalized, holistic approaches. Increasing global attention is fueling related industries like bioeconomy and wellness valued at trillions of dollars.
Around 90% of WHO Member States have reported on the use of traditional medicine and requested robust evidence and data to guide policies, practice and regulations to ensure its safe and effective use, while promoting equity and sustainability.
To address this global demand, WHO established the Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in 2022 with foundational support from the Government of India. The GTMC is a WHO Headquarters department, in the Division of Universal Health Coverage and Life Course, that is outposted to Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. The Centre focuses on advancing research, facilitating knowledge exchange, conserving biodiversity, and fostering partnerships to catalyze ancient wisdom and modern science for the health and well-being of people and planet.
Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (often called TCIM) is deeply embedded in health-care traditions across the world, serving as an essential...
The first WHO survey on traditional medicine focused on national policies for traditional medicine and complementary and alternative medicine, as well...
This publication provides a conceptual framework for the integration of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine into health systems. The framework...
A popular form of traditional and complementary medicine, Yoga is taught and practised in many Member States. The evidence-based approach to the effectiveness...
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During the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, 75 member-states and other stakeholder groups pledged specific, measurable, actionable, relevant...
The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre will convene the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. Building on...
The report summarizes the discussions held at the WHO Traditional Medicine Summit on 17-18 August 2023 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. This summit aimed...
Yoga is recognized as an accessible way lead a physically active lifestyle. The app comprises a collection of videos and audio practice sessions that users can do in the comfort of their own home, as and when they wish.
