The World Health
Organization (WHO) is going to establish a global centre for traditional
medicine in Gujarat’s Jamnagar to harness the potential for such medicine through
the use of modern science and technology. The centre will be backed by an
investment of $250 million. An agreement to the effect was signed between the
global health agency and the Government of India on Friday.

According to WHO’s
estimates, nearly 80% people across the world use some or the other form of
traditional medicine. Traditional medicine-use has been reported in 170 out of
194 WHO member states. Therefore, many governments have called upon the agency
to create a body of knowledge on traditional medicine practices and products.
This is the purpose that the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine seeks to
serve.

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On the traditional
medicine centre in India, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said,
“For many millions of people around the world, traditional medicine is the
first port of call to treat many diseases…This centre will help to harness the
power of science to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine.”  

Traditional
medicine is the sum total of knowledge, skills and indigenous practices that
different cultures have used over time to maintain health and prevent, diagnose
and treat physical and mental illness. Ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture and herbal
mixtures are all part of traditional medicine.

Right now, health
systems of nations are ill-equipped to integrate traditional medicine workers, accredited
courses, health facilities and expenditures.

After the
agreement was signed, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter: “It
is heartening to learn about the signing of the Host Country Agreement for the
establishment of Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM).”

“Through various initiatives,
our government has been tireless in its endeavour to make preventive and
curative healthcare, affordable and accessible to all. May the global centre at
Jamnagar help in providing the best healthcare solutions to the world.”  

Over the years,
traditional medicine has found greater use in modern science. Nearly 40% of
approved pharmaceutical products are derived from natural substances. The
contraceptive pill was developed from the roots of wild yam plants, aspirin
developed from the bark of the willow tree and child cancer treatments have
been based on the rosy periwinkle.