Traditional medicine key to achieve universal health coverage: Ayush Ministry

IANS May 11, 2025 631 views

The Ayush Ministry is spearheading a global movement to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare systems. By creating the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine, India is positioning itself as a leader in holistic wellness approaches. The initiative aims to combine traditional knowledge with modern scientific research and technology. This strategic approach could revolutionize global healthcare by emphasizing preventive and integrative medical practices.

"The Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM) was created by India in May 2023" - Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Ayush Ministry Secretary
Traditional medicine key to achieve universal health coverage: Ayush Ministry
New Delhi, May 11: The government has emphasised the growing relevance of traditional medicine in achieving universal health coverage and advancing the goals of ‘One Health and Sustainable Development,’ it was announced on Sunday.

Key Points

1

India launches global platform for traditional medicine integration

2

Ayush Ministry promotes evidence-based wellness approaches

3

WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy gains international momentum

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Collaborative research bridges modern and traditional healthcare

The sixth meeting of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM) was successfully held at the Permanent Mission of India (PMI) in Geneva.

The meeting brought together ambassador’s representatives from various countries committed to strengthening the role of traditional medicine in global healthcare systems, according to Ayush Ministry.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, delivered a keynote address virtually that underscored India’s leadership and commitment in promoting evidence-based traditional medicine across the world.

He reaffirmed India’s commitment through Ministry of Ayush with initiatives like the National AYUSH Mission, the integrative model of Ayush Arogya Mandirs, insurance coverage for traditional medicine, and collaborative research with premier institutions like DBT, DST, ICMR, and CSIR.

He also highlighted India's focus on emerging domains such as AI, genomics, and bioinformatics in traditional medicine — reflected in the global technical meeting on AI applications in traditional medicine underscoring the country’s role in safeguarding traditional knowledge, enhancing capacity, and promoting equitable global health.

“The Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine (GFTM) was created by India in May 2023. This informal platform allows WHO member states to discuss and support the integration of traditional medicine into health systems,” he said, calling for greater collaboration, knowledge exchange, and research partnerships.

India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, which hosted the meeting, reaffirmed its commitment to furthering international cooperation on traditional and integrative healthcare solutions, in alignment with WHO guidelines and national policies.

With platforms like GFTM and the leadership of the Ministry of Ayush, India is not only preserving its traditional wellness heritage but also reshaping the future of global health — one that is inclusive, preventive, and deeply rooted in the wisdom of nature.

The gathering supported key global initiatives — particularly the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 and the upcoming Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit, to be held in India from December 2-4, 2025.

—IANS

Reader Comments

R
Rahul P.
Great initiative by our government! Ayurveda and yoga are India's gift to the world 🌿. My grandmother's home remedies work better than some modern medicines. But we need more scientific validation to convince skeptics.
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Priya K.
While I appreciate traditional medicine, I hope this doesn't become an excuse to reduce funding for modern healthcare infrastructure. Both systems should complement each other. Our villages still need more doctors and hospitals.
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Arjun M.
Finally our ancient wisdom getting global recognition! But government must ensure quality control - too many fake Ayurvedic products in market. Standardization is key for international acceptance.
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Sunita R.
As someone who recovered from chronic back pain through Ayurveda after years of allopathy, I fully support this move. But treatment costs must be affordable for common people - some Ayurvedic hospitals charge like 5-star hotels!
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Vikram S.
Good to see India taking leadership in this space. But we must be careful - China has already commercialized traditional medicine globally. We need to protect our knowledge while making it accessible. The AI integration mentioned sounds promising!
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Neha T.
Traditional medicine works best for lifestyle diseases which are increasing globally. But for emergencies and surgeries, modern medicine is irreplaceable. Balance is important. Proud to see India leading this conversation at UN level 🇮🇳

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Tags:
Traditional Medicine Ayush Ministry WHO Universal Health Coverage India Healthcare Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
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