By Dr. Irene Aasam (MH)
Many people seek traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine interventions for treating, preventing, and managing non-communicable diseases, palliative care, and rehabilitation.
On August 17–18, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its first-ever Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023, with a strong commitment from the diverse and unique groups of partners and stakeholders to harness the potential of evidence-based traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) to improve progress towards universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 for the health and well-being of people and the planet.
This included Health ministers from the G20 and other countries, scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, health workers, and members of civil society from 88 countries who participated in the Summit that took place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, on August 17 and 18, 2023.
The Summit provided a platform for all stakeholders to share their unique experiences, best practices, and ideas for collaboration. It comprised a diverse group of Indigenous Peoples from diverse regions of the world (e.g., Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, and New Zealand, among others), for whom many TCIM practices play a fundamental role in not just health care, but also culture and livelihoods.
Building evidence and innovations
Preliminary findings from the WHO Global Survey on Traditional Medicine 2023 shared at the Summit indicate that around 100 countries have TCIM-related national policies and strategies. In many WHO Member States, TCIM treatments are part of the essential medicine lists and essential health service packages and are covered by national health insurance schemes. Many people seek traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine interventions for the treatment, prevention, and management of non-communicable diseases, palliative care, and rehabilitation.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Life Course at WHO, highlighted the need for a “stronger evidence base—a WHO priority—to enable countries to develop appropriate regulations and policies around traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.”
The Summit also highlighted the important role that artificial intelligence can play in mining the complex data available on traditional medicine and identifying practices that show promise for further scientific evaluation. Eventually, and with ethical and equity safeguards, this evidence can translate into policies that accelerate the safe and effective use of traditional medicine in health systems.
Fostering collective action for a healthier planet for healthier people
In closing the Summit, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, said, “Together, we have gently shaken up the status quo that has, for far too long, separated different approaches to medicine and health. By aiming silos, we are saying we will collaborate all the more to find optimal ways to bring traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine well under the umbrella of primary health care and universal health coverage.” He further added, “We have reiterated how crucial it is to get better evidence on the effectiveness, safety, and quality of traditional and complementary medicine. That means innovative methodologies for assessing and evaluating outcomes.”
Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Senior Strategic Adviser and Lead for the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Centre, who also led the organization of the Summit, said, “We learned much about the existing policies, tools, and practices. But it is clear we have a long journey ahead in using science to further understand, develop, and deliver the full potential of TCIM approaches to improve people’s health and well-being in harmony with the planet that sustains us.”
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