First WHO Traditional Medicine Global summit held in India; WHO chief, 75 nations attend

The first World Health Organisation (WHO) Traditional Medicine Global Summit was held on August 17 at Mahatma Mandir in Gujarat’s Ahmebadad, and the event was inaugurated by the Director-General of WHO Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The Summit began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Dr Ghebreyesus and the Union Minister of Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied by sacred hymns honouring Dhanvantari, the deity of Ayurveda.

The landmark event was also attended by other delegates, including the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, and the Union Minister of State for Ayush and Women and Child Development Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai.

The medical representatives of more than 75 countries participated in the first ever Traditional Medicine summit in India, a press release statement said.

In his opening address, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, known as Tulsi Bhai in Gujarat due to a nickname bestowed upon him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acknowledged the enduring significance of Traditional Medicine.”Traditional Medicine is as old as humanity itself. However, it is not a thing of the past. It has a growing relevance in communities and cultures even today,”he said.

Dr Ghebreyesus further praised India’s Ayushman Bharat Initiative and highlighted the integration of traditional medicine into rural primary healthcare.

“Kudos to India for this historic initiative,” he said.

Ministers highlight Prime Minister’s efforts in lifting traditional medicine in India

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the summit aims to propose recommendations for a dedicated forum within future G20 presidencies. He announced the intention to establish dedicated Ayush Departments in all AIIMS institutions.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, highlighted the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel to ‘nation-building’. He expressed confidence in India’s potential to become a global knowledge hub for traditional medicine, benefiting both the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. With over 170 countries embracing traditional medicine, the summit provides a platform for international collaboration and the exchange of best practices, the minister said.

Gujarat CM Patel, in his speech, recounted how the Prime Minister’s belief in traditional medicine’s potential led to the initiative of connecting countries worldwide for the mission of Traditional Medicine. This initiative has now materialised as the world’s first Traditional Medicine Global Summit.

The inaugural Plenary Session featured distinguished speakers and culminated in an interactive question-and-answer session.

The experiential Ayush Exhibition Zone ran concurrently with an exhibition showcasing traditional medicine systems from WHO’s six regions. The theme, ‘Ayush for Planetary Health and Well-being,’ spotlighted the Ministry of Ayush’s accomplishments in Education, Healthcare, Research, and Public Health. Medicinal plants used in Ayurveda adorned the exhibition, while the ministry’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and zero waste was showcased through an impressive pavilion. Interactive kiosks offered comprehensive Ayush-related information, including the location of Ayush hospitals and a digital research library. The zone also featured virtual reality experiences of Ayush healthcare services. A centerpiece of the exhibition was the mythical wish-fulfilling tree, Kalpavriksha. Visitors could also engage in immersive experiences, including AI-based Ayurveda Pulse diagnosis, body constitution analysis, and live Yoga demonstrations.