WHO's First-ever Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Starts in Gujarat

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya today launched the first-ever WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit at Gandhinagar's Mahatma Mandir. The meeting is being held on the sidelines of the G20 meeting of health ministers in Gandhinagar. In his opening remarks, the minister stated that the summit will provide a unique opportunity to engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, and form international partnerships in order to advance the agenda of Traditional and Complementary Medicine and work together to promote the potential of traditional healing practises around the world.

Mr Mandaviya, who emphasised the role of traditional and complementary medicine in promoting health, expressed hope that the summit would serve as a platform for mobilising political commitment and evidence-based action on traditional medicine to address their health and well-being needs. The summit, according to WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, will help to unlock the potential of ancient traditional medicine and advance its use in modern times. He calls on all countries to make a commitment to incorporating traditional medicines into their national health systems. Meanwhile, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the benefit as well as a portal for improved patient mobility for medical value travel and health workforce mobility. The minister reaffirmed India's commitment to a universal healthcare system and highlighted the country's medical tourism potential. Meanwhile, as part of the three-day G20 Health Ministers' Meeting, the G20 Deputy Health Ministers' Meeting was inaugurated today in Gandhinagar by Minister of State for Health Dr. Bharati Pawar.

Addressing the meeting, Dr Bharati Pawar said, India’s G20 Presidency has revolved around the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family. She said, nowhere is this more important than in the field of global health, as the pandemic taught us that no one is safe until everyone is safe. The Minister added that Indian G20 Presidency has put a special focus on the critical threats of One Health, Anti-Microbial Resistance, and Climate Change. She said, global initiative for digital health has the potential to be a pioneering example of high-level international cooperation that directly benefits the world. Special exhibitions on global Traditional medicines and advantage healthcare India 2023 were also inaugurated today.