India, WHO sign agreement to set up Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Gujarat's Jamnagar
India Today
The Government of India and the World Health Organization agreed to establish the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat's Jamnagar.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and India's government signed an agreement on Friday to establish the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
On Friday night, the WHO issued a statement announcing the development. The Centre will be officially opened on April 21.
This global knowledge centre for traditional medicine, supported by a USD 250 million investment from the Government of India, aims to harness the potential of traditional medicine from around the world through modern science and technology to improve people's and the planet's health, WHO said.
Traditional medicine is believed to be used by approximately 80 per cent of the world's population.
To date, 170 of the 194 WHO Member States have reported using traditional medicine, and their governments have requested WHO support in creating a body of reliable evidence and data on traditional medicine practices and products.
"For many millions of people around the world, traditional medicine is the first port of call to treat many diseases," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.
He said, "Ensuring all people have access to safe and effective treatment is an essential part of WHO’s mission, and this new centre will help to harness the power of science to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine. I’m grateful to the Government of India for its support, and we look forward to making it a success."
