In a landmark move that signals a paradigm shift in global public health, the Government of India has formally committed an additional US$ 85 million over the next decade (2022–2032) to support the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre. This substantial investment is part of a broader, $250 million total financial commitment from India, aimed at cementing the role of traditional medicine within the framework of modern, evidence-based healthcare.
The funding is designed to catalyze a cross-sectoral program of work, focusing on the development of robust data, policy frameworks, and clinical standards. As billions of people worldwide continue to rely on traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCI) for their primary health needs, this initiative seeks to ensure that these practices are safe, effective, and seamlessly integrated into national health systems.
The Strategic Framework: A New Era for Global Health
The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, serves as a pioneering knowledge hub. Its mission is to harmonize ancient healing traditions with the rigor of modern science. The $85 million infusion will specifically target the “evidence base” for traditional medicine, a long-standing challenge for the sector. By providing systematic data on policies, clinical practices, and public use, the Centre aims to address the information gap that has historically hindered the integration of traditional knowledge into global health policy.
Core Areas of Focus
The Centre operates through five interconnected pillars of activity:
Research and Evidence: Validating the efficacy and safety of traditional practices through scientific inquiry.
Primary Health Care and Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ensuring traditional medicine supports the goal of "Health for All."
Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity: Preserving the cultural heritage and ecological sustainability of medicinal plants and practices.
Digital Health Applications: Leveraging technology to standardize and disseminate traditional medical knowledge.
Global Collaboration: Coordinating the biennial WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit to foster international policy dialogue.
Chronology: From Concept to Global Catalyst
The journey toward this partnership has been defined by rapid development and high-level diplomatic coordination.
2022: The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine is established in Jamnagar, India, with an initial investment of US$ 250 million from the Government of India, covering infrastructure, interim premises, and the launch of the Centre’s foundational workplan.
August 2023: The inaugural WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is held in Gujarat. This event serves as a major turning point, culminating in the Gujarat Declaration, which outlines a multistakeholder action agenda for the future of global traditional medicine.
2023–2024: India strengthens its partnership with the WHO’s Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCI) unit through a five-year technical cooperation agreement, focusing on standardized terminologies and benchmark documents.
2025 (Upcoming): The launch of the 2025–2034 Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine is anticipated at the 78th World Health Assembly in May. This will be followed by the second WHO Global Summit in November 2025, which will evaluate the progress of the new decade-long strategy.
Supporting Data: Why Traditional Medicine Matters
For a vast segment of the global population, traditional medicine is not an "alternative" but the primary source of healthcare. In many developing nations, it remains the first point of contact for patients. However, the lack of standardized documentation has historically made it difficult for policymakers to integrate these systems into national insurance or clinical protocols.
The WHO’s TCI unit has been working tirelessly to rectify this. By publishing benchmark documents and clinical guidelines, the WHO is facilitating a "One WHO" approach—ensuring that regional offices, country offices, and headquarters are aligned in their efforts to regulate and support traditional medicine.
Part of the new US$ 85 million contribution will also be funneled into the WHO’s "Investment Round," a strategic effort to resource the organization’s core functions between 2025 and 2028. This ensures that the study of traditional medicine is not an isolated pursuit, but a core component of the WHO’s broader mission to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Official Responses: Aligning Global and National Visions
The signing ceremony in Geneva was marked by a sense of historic significance, with key figures emphasizing the synergy between India’s leadership and the WHO’s global mandate.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General of the Universal Health Coverage and Life Course division at WHO, noted:
"India’s commitment and leadership in expanding the evidence-based contribution of traditional medicine to the health and well-being of all people and the planet comes at an opportune moment. Traditional medicine, supported within national health systems, can allow us to reach those most often left behind. Integration of traditional practice and knowledge is critical to achieving health for all."
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, highlighted the diplomatic success of the agreement:
"The signing of this donor agreement is a major milestone towards achieving the shared vision of Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and WHO Director-General Tedros for the development of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar."
Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India to the UN in Geneva, reiterated the commitment to humanitarian outcomes:
"India remains committed to supporting WHO in its work to strengthen traditional medicine systems globally for achieving universal health coverage and serving the entire humanity, especially through this Global Centre in Jamnagar, which would help focus these efforts to benefit all Member States."
Implications for the Future of Global Health
The implications of this funding go far beyond the balance sheets. By formalizing the research and regulatory standards for traditional medicine, the WHO and the Government of India are creating a template for how the world might handle non-Western medical systems.
1. Standardization and Safety
One of the most significant hurdles for traditional medicine has been the variability in product quality and practice. The collaboration between the Centre and the TCI unit is establishing standardized terminologies. This means that a practitioner in Southeast Asia and a researcher in Europe will, for the first time, be able to speak the same "language" when discussing traditional interventions.
2. Economic and Health Equity
By integrating traditional medicine into the formal health sector, countries can significantly reduce the burden on tertiary care facilities. When minor ailments can be effectively and safely managed through traditional, primary-care-level interventions, national health budgets are better preserved for complex, chronic, or emergency conditions.
3. Biodiversity and Sustainability
The Centre’s focus on "Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity" is a crucial aspect of this investment. As the global demand for herbal and traditional medicines grows, there is an inherent risk of over-harvesting and environmental degradation. The WHO’s guidance, supported by Indian funding, ensures that these medicinal resources are harvested and utilized in an ecologically sustainable manner, protecting the very ecosystems that provide these remedies.
4. A Multi-Sectoral "One WHO" Approach
The collaboration between the Centre and the TCI unit, supported by the Technical Expert Network, signals a move toward breaking down the silos that have traditionally existed within health organizations. By ensuring that traditional medicine is discussed at the same table as modern pharmacology, the WHO is signaling that the future of medicine is inclusive.
Conclusion: A Legacy in the Making
As the world looks toward the launch of the 2025–2034 Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine, the partnership between India and the WHO serves as a beacon of progress. It is a rare example of a country investing heavily in a global public good that transcends borders.
By prioritizing scientific rigor, the preservation of indigenous wisdom, and the mandate of Universal Health Coverage, this $85 million investment ensures that the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre will not merely be a repository of ancient practices, but a dynamic, data-driven engine for modern medical evolution. The work being done in Jamnagar today will likely dictate how millions of people receive care in the coming decades, bridging the gap between the healers of the past and the scientists of the future.
