In a landmark event aimed at bridging gaps in healthcare access and promoting evidence-based use, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its inaugural Traditional Medicine Global Summit on August 17 and 18, 2023. Co-hosted by the Government of India, which holds the G20 presidency for the year, the summit brought together stakeholders from around the world to discuss and explore the potential of traditional medicine in addressing health and sustainable development challenges.
The Significance of Traditional Medicine
Traditional medicine has long been a cornerstone of healthcare for millions of people globally. Rooted in cultural practices and historical knowledge, these traditional treatments and remedies often serve as the first point of contact for individuals seeking solutions to their health and well-being needs. Recognizing this importance, the WHO’s summit aimed to harness the power of traditional medicine while ensuring its safe and effective integration into modern healthcare systems.
At the heart of the summit’s objectives was the emphasis on evidence-based practices. The WHO seeks to build a foundation of robust evidence and data that will inform policies, standards, and regulations to guide the responsible use of traditional medicine. This approach ensures that traditional medicine can contribute meaningfully to healthcare without compromising safety or effectiveness.
One of the most compelling reasons for embracing traditional medicine is its potential to bridge the significant healthcare access gaps that persist globally. Particularly in remote and underserved communities, traditional medicine often provides a lifeline of care. However, the summit underscored the need for these practices to be used appropriately and in alignment with the latest scientific evidence. This balance between tradition and modernity is crucial to ensuring optimal health outcomes.
Inaugurating the summit, WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the organisation’s commitment to building a comprehensive body of evidence and data. He highlighted that the goal is to shape policies and regulations that facilitate the safe, cost-effective, and equitable integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems. This approach recognizes that traditional medicine can only be valuable when used in a manner that aligns with modern scientific understanding and best practices.
Nobel laureate and chair of the WHO Science Council, Harold Varmus, delivered a significant message during the summit via video link. He stressed the importance of acknowledging the widespread use of traditional medicines and the potential they hold for complementing modern healthcare. He underlined the necessity of leveraging evidence and data to guide the appropriate incorporation of traditional medicine, which would help optimise its impact on public health.
The WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit finds resonance with the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, which was inaugurated in India’s Gujarat state the previous year. This centre serves as a hub for research, development, and training related to traditional medicine. Its existence reinforces the WHO’s commitment to understanding and harnessing the potential of traditional medicine, while ensuring it aligns with contemporary healthcare standards.
The inaugural WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit marks a pivotal moment in healthcare. By bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including traditional medicine workers, policymakers, academics, international organisations, the private sector, and civil society, the summit paves the way for evidence-based actions that enhance healthcare access and outcomes. The careful balance between tradition and modernity, guided by scientific evidence, ensures that traditional medicine becomes an invaluable partner in the journey toward global health and sustainable development. As this summit becomes a regular event, the world can look forward to a future where traditional medicine plays a pivotal role in improving the well-being of millions worldwide.