WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM)

 establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in

Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, as a global good.
 GCTM would go a long way in enhancing wellness in society
 noted that more than five decades ago the world’s first Ayurvedic
University was established in Jamnagar.
 strengthen the role of traditional medicine in pursuing the goal of
universal health coverage. According to WHO estimates, 80% of the
world’s population uses traditional medicine
 Jamnagar centre will serve as the hub, and focus on building a “solid
evidence base” for policies and “help countries integrate it as
appropriate into their health systems
 India’s traditional medicine system is not limited to treatment. It is a
holistic science of life. Ayurveda goes beyond just healing and treatment.
Ayurveda also includes social health, mental health-happiness,
environmental health, sympathy, compassion and productivity. Ayurveda
is taken as the knowledge of life and it has been deemed as fifth Veda."
 Catalysing ancient wisdom and modern science for the health of people
and the planet
 It will emerge as international hub of global wellness
 has a strategic focus on evidence and learning, data and analytics,
sustainability and equity, and innovation and technology
 for global health and sustainable development
 At the same time, respect for local heritages, resources and rights is a
guiding principle.
 founded on evidence, innovation and sustainability.
 Prime Minister noted the rising demand for Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani
formulations globally as many countries are stressing upon the
traditional medicine for dealing with the pandemic
 Goal of GCTM:
o create a database of traditional knowledge system using
technology
o create international standards for testing and certification of
traditional medicines so that confidence in these medicines
improves
 o platform where global experts of traditional medicines come
together and share experiences.
o mobilize funding for research in the field of traditional medicines
o Around 80 per cent of the world’s population is estimated to use
traditional medicine. To date, 170 of the 194 WHO Member States
have reported the use of traditional medicine, and their
governments have asked for WHO’s support in creating a body of
reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and
products,
 term “traditional medicine” describes the total sum of the knowledge,
skills and practices indigenous cultures have used over time to maintain
health, and prevent, diagnose and treat physical and mental illnesses. Its
reach encompasses ancient practices such as acupuncture, ayurvedic
medicine and herbal mixtures.
 Traditional medicine in India is often defined as including practices and
therapies — such as yoga, Ayurveda, Siddha — that have been part of
Indian tradition historically, as well as others — such as homeopathy —
that became part of Indian tradition over the years. Ayurveda and yoga
are practised widely across the country; the Siddha system is followed
predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala; the Sowa-Rigpa system is
practised mainly in Leh-Ladakh and Himalayan regions such as Sikkim,
Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Lahaul & Spiti.
 WHO has flagged many challenges faced by traditional medicine
 today, national health systems and strategies do not yet
fully integrate the millions of traditional medicine workers,
accredited courses, health facilities, and health
expenditures, the note pointed out.
 Second, the WHO has stressed the need to conserve
biodiversity and sustainability as about 40% of approved
pharmaceutical products today derive from natural
substances. “For example, the discovery of aspirin drew on
traditional medicine formulations using the bark of the
willow tree, the contraceptive pill was developed from the
roots of wild yam plants and child cancer treatments have
been based on the rosy periwinkle
 Third, the WHO has referred to modernisation of the ways
traditional medicine is being studied. Artificial intelligence is
 now used to map evidence and trends in traditional
medicine. “Functional magnetic resonance imaging is used
to study brain activity and the relaxation response that is
part of some traditional medicine therapies such as
meditation and yoga, which are increasingly drawn on for
mental health and well-being in stressful times,”
 About 40 per cent of approved pharmaceutical products in use today
derive from natural substances, highlighting the vital importance of
conserving biodiversity and sustainability. For example, the discovery of
aspirin drew on traditional medicine formulations using the bark of the
willow tree, the contraceptive pill was developed from the roots of the
wild yam plants, and child cancer treatments have been based on the
rosy periwinkle.
 WHO and the central government are also aiming at using technology
and innovation, such as artificial intelligence, to map traditional medicine
trends, innovations and patents, linking to WHO’s Innovation Hub.
 traditional medicines products abound globally and the centre will go a
long way in bringing their promise to fruition. For many regions of the
world, traditional medicine is the first line of treatment.

Questions:

1.History
2.Definition of AYUSH and each system and their respective types/features
3.Why need?
4.Issues
5.Solution/way fwd
6.Steps by govt.
7.National AYUSH mission/Ministry of AYUSH
8.Int. Yoga Day
9.Herbal medicines names/medicinal plants
10.Stats and facts
11.Ayurveda vs Allopathy
12.Analysis of Ayushmann Bharat(PMJAY)
13.AYUSH and Covid
14.Ayushman Bharat Health Infra mission and Digital Health mission