WHO Chief Highlights Global Traditional Medicine Centre in India at World Health Assembly

WHO Chief Highlights Global Traditional Medicine Centre in India at World Health Assembly



Geneva, Switzerland – World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the 77th World Health Assembly on Monday, emphasizing the establishment of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre in India. This center, established through a partnership between WHO and the Government of India, represents a significant step in integrating traditional medicine with modern science to enhance global health.


Achievements in Traditional Medicine and Technology Transfer


In his speech, Ghebreyesus highlighted several key achievements from 2023, including the organization of the first global summit on traditional medicine, co-hosted by WHO and India’s Ministry of Ayush. The summit is part of WHO’s broader efforts to leverage traditional medicine's potential for improving health outcomes worldwide.


In 2022, WHO and India signed an agreement to create the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Supported by a USD 250 million investment from the Indian government, the center aims to combine traditional medicine with modern science and technology. According to a WHO press release, this initiative will harness traditional knowledge to advance global health and environmental sustainability.


Expansion of Technology Transfer Programs


Ghebreyesus also spoke about the expansion of technology transfer programs and the diversification of manufacturing capabilities under WHO leadership. The mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, involving 15 partners, is working on expanding the pipeline to include new vaccines addressing regional and global health concerns.


Reflections on 2023: A Year of Challenges and Progress


Reflecting on the year 2023, Ghebreyesus described it as both challenging and productive for WHO. He noted several milestones, such as the prequalification of 120 medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health products for diseases including HIV, malaria, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, Ebola, polio, and COVID-19. Additionally, WHO issued alerts for substandard or falsified medical products and standardized nomenclature for over 300 cell and gene therapies, benefiting researchers, manufacturers, and healthcare providers.


Strengthening Regulatory Systems


The Director-General also addressed the progress in strengthening regulatory systems, recognizing Turkiye’s regulatory system as achieving maturity level 3 and Saudi Arabia’s as level 4. Singapore, South Korea, and Switzerland were named as the first WHO-Listed Regulatory Authorities, with an additional 33 national and regional regulators recently listed.


Restoring Routine Immunization Programs


Ghebreyesus highlighted the disruptions to routine immunization programs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to outbreaks of measles, diphtheria, polio, yellow fever, and other diseases. In response, WHO, along with UNICEF and Gavi, launched "The Big Catch Up" initiative to restore immunization programs to pre-pandemic levels. Many of the 20 countries with the highest number of children who missed vaccinations during the pandemic are now implementing plans to reach these children.


Recommendations for New Vaccines


The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) recommended new vaccines for dengue, meningitis, and a second vaccine for malaria, the R21-Matrix M vaccine, in 2023.


Progress Towards Global Health Protection


WHO estimates that by 2025, 777 million people will be better protected from health emergencies, moving closer to the target of 1 billion. Ghebreyesus emphasized that while progress has been made, significant work remains to ensure comprehensive protection against health threats, as demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Ending COVID-19 and Mpox as Global Health Emergencies


Lastly, Ghebreyesus announced the end of COVID-19 and mpox as global health emergencies in May last year, urging countries to maintain and strengthen the surveillance, detection, and response capacities developed during the pandemic to prevent future health crises.


Relevant Laws and Policies


Several laws and policies support the initiatives and actions discussed by the WHO Chief:


1. National Health Policy, 2017 (India): This policy aims to provide universal health coverage and integrate traditional medicine into the national healthcare system, aligning with the establishment of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre.


2. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (India): Regulates the import, manufacture, and distribution of drugs, including traditional medicines, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality.


3. The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (India): Provides the legal framework for controlling the spread of infectious diseases, which is crucial for managing health emergencies like COVID-19 and implementing initiatives such as "The Big Catch Up."


4. WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): An international treaty that provides a coordinated response to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke, contributing to global health improvements.


5. International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005: Legally binding regulations that provide a global framework for responding to public health risks and emergencies that have the potential to cross borders.

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India

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