The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, and senior diplomats for a briefing on the Summit’s vision, global health relevance, and avenues for international collaboration on evidence-based traditional medicine.
File Photo: IANS
The Ministry of Ayush, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, hosted an Ambassadors’ Reception here on Monday ahead of the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, set to take place from December 17 to 19.
The event brought together ambassadors, high commissioners, and senior diplomats for a briefing on the Summit’s vision, global health relevance, and avenues for international collaboration on evidence-based traditional medicine.
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Lauding the upcoming Summit, Ayush Minister, Prataprao Jadhav said, “The summit would mark another milestone in our shared pursuit of equitable, accessible, and evidence-based healthcare systems.”
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He highlighted traditional medicine as a “repository of cultural identity and community wisdom,” and reaffirmed India’s partnership with WHO to strengthen research and quality standards through the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.
Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, said the Summit’s theme — “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Wellbeing” — reflects the shared goal of building integrative health systems that combine traditional and modern approaches.
Speaking at the event, Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus, WHO South-East Asia Region, noted that 170 member states now recognize the use of traditional medicine, claiming that the sector is gaining traction. He further added that WHO’s initiatives in Jamnagar and the Traditional Medicine Global Library “represent vital steps toward evidence-informed, people-centred healthcare.”
India is shaping global frameworks on traditional medicine through research and international partnerships, pointed Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs.
Outlining the broader context for the Summit, Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director, WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, said, “The Summit aims to advance a global movement to restore balance for people and the planet, grounded in the science and practice of Traditional Medicine.”
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