India and WHO Sign Landmark Agreement for Global Traditional Medicine Centre

On July 31, 2024, a momentous event took place at the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva. The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, and the World Health Organization signed a crucial Donor Agreement. This agreement outlines the financial terms for implementing the activities of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.

Key Signatories and Attendees

The signing ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials:

• H.E. Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Geneva (signing on behalf of the Ministry of Ayush)
• Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course (signing on behalf of WHO)
• Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of Ayush (joined virtually)
• Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director a.i. of WHO GTMC (event moderator)
• Dr. Razia Pendse, Chef de Cabinet, representing the Director-General of WHO (delivered vote of thanks)

Financial Commitment and Collaboration

The Donor Agreement represents a significant financial commitment from the Government of India to support traditional medicine on a global scale.

Donation Details

• Amount: US$ 85 million
• Duration: 10 years (2022-2032)
• Purpose: To support the operations of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India

Significance of the Agreement

This collaboration recognizes the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre as a key knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM). The centre aims to advance the health and well-being of both people and the planet through traditional medicine practices.

Background and Previous Agreements

Host Country Agreement

• Signed: March 25, 2022
• Parties: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, and WHO
• Significance: Marked the establishment of WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, as the first and only global out-posted Centre for traditional medicine worldwide

Union Cabinet Approval

The Host Country Agreement was signed with the approval of the Union Cabinet, highlighting the Indian government’s commitment to promoting traditional medicine globally.

Current Operations and Future Plans

Interim Office

The interim office of the WHO-GTMC is already operational, focusing on developing capacity-building and training programs aligned with its objectives.

Training Programs

The centre plans to offer various training programs, including:

• Campus-based programs
• Residential courses
• Web-based training

These programs will be developed in partnership with the WHO Academy and other strategic partners.

Collaborative Efforts between Ministry of Ayush and WHO

The Ministry of Ayush has been collaborating with WHO on multiple fronts to promote traditional medicine:

1. Development of benchmark documents for training and practice in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha systems
2. Creation of WHO terminology for traditional medicine practices
3. Introduction of a second module in the Traditional Medicine Chapter of the International Classification of Diseases-11
4. Development of apps like M-Yoga
5. Support for the International Pharmacopoeia of Herbal Medicine (IPHM)

These collaborative efforts, including those involving the WHO GTMC, will help position Indian traditional medicine on the global stage.

Global Impact and Future Prospects

The joint efforts of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, and WHO are expected to have far-reaching effects:

1. Benefiting India’s traditional medicine sector
2. Contributing to the global health agenda
3. Reinforcing commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through Traditional Medicine