The first WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is set to unfold on August 17 and 18, 2023, in the city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India.
This event will intertwine with the G20 health ministerial meeting, creating a dynamic platform aimed at galvanizing both political commitment and evidence-based actions in the realm of traditional medicine. This age-old practice serves as the initial recourse for millions across the globe, catering to their diverse health and well-being requisites.
A Collaborative Endeavor: WHO and the Government of India as Co-Hosts
- The Global Summit will be jointly orchestrated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of India, which presently holds the esteemed presidency of the G20 for the year 2023.
- As an inclusive stage, the Summit will convene an array of stakeholders encompassing traditional medicine practitioners, users, communities, national policymakers, international organizations, academia, private sector representatives, and civil society entities.
- Together, they will share pearls of wisdom, groundbreaking evidence, transformative data, and pioneering innovations that underscore the indispensable role of traditional medicine in both health and sustainable development.
Traditional Medicine: A Time-Honored Beacon of Health
- With a legacy spanning centuries, traditional and complementary medicine has woven itself intricately into the fabric of households and communities worldwide. Pioneering the frontiers of medicine and science, it has laid the bedrock for conventional medical frameworks.
- Astonishingly, approximately 40% of modern pharmaceutical products trace their origins back to natural sources. Moreover, pivotal medical breakthroughs such as aspirin, artemisinin, and pediatric cancer treatments have their roots embedded in traditional medicine.
- As technology ushers in a new era, disciplines like genomics and artificial intelligence are permeating this ancient practice, while thriving industries for herbal medicines, natural products, health, wellness, and holistic travel take flight.
The Global Quest for Knowledge: Data, Evidence, and Equitable Use
- In the wake of surging global interest and demand, WHO in March 2022, fortified by the support of the Government of India, unveiled the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine.
- This pivotal knowledge hub operates with the mission to synthesize timeless wisdom and contemporary science, forging a path towards enhanced health and well-being for people and the planet.
- With a steadfast focus on partnership, evidence, data, biodiversity, and innovation, the Centre endeavors to optimize traditional medicine’s contribution to universal health coverage, sustainable development, and global well-being. It does so while remaining deeply rooted in the principles of respect for local heritage, resources, and rights.
Key Points for Competitive Examinations
- Director-General of WHO: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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