Shyama Kuruvilla, director of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, stated that traditional medicine has become a global reality, with half the world’s population lacking access to essential health services and often relying on these systems as their primary or only source of care. Established in 2022, the Centre seeks to harness the potential of traditional medicine to improve healthcare and overall well-being worldwide.
Traditional medicine, according to WHO, includes practices and knowledge developed across historical and cultural contexts, predating biomedicine. It emphasizes nature-based remedies and holistic, personalized approaches aimed at restoring balance of mind, body, and environment. Many people prefer traditional medicine for its personalized and holistic care, which supports overall well-being rather than just treating specific symptoms.
Global demand for traditional medicine is increasing due to rising chronic diseases, mental health needs, stress management, and a search for meaningful care. Despite this demand, less than one percent of global health research funding is currently directed toward traditional medicine, highlighting a gap in scientific support and evidence development.
The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will take place from 17 to 19 December in New Delhi, India, and online. The summit will bring together policymakers, practitioners, scientists, and Indigenous leaders to discuss the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy through 2034. The strategy aims to advance evidence-based traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine while providing guidance on regulation and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
WHO is also launching a global traditional medicine library, a first-of-its-kind digital platform with over 1.6 million scientific records, along with a traditional medicine data network and a Framework on Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity, and Health. These initiatives aim to foster collaboration and create conditions for traditional medicine to contribute at scale to the health and well-being of people and the planet.
