Dr Tedros said GCTM will focus on research and leadership, evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity and innovation and technology.

JAMNAGAR, Apr 19 (The CONNECT) – The world will come to India for its leadership in the traditional medicine, said World Health Organisation Director General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) here, Dr Tedros termed the centre as a truly global project as 107 WHO member countries have their country specific governmental offices.  

Traditional medicines products are abound globally and the centre will go a long way in bringing the promise of the traditional medicine to fruition, he said.

For many regions of the world traditional medicine is the first line of treatment. The New Centre will focus on data, innovation and sustainability and will optimize the use of traditional medicine, he added. The centres five main areas will be research and leadership, evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity and innovation and technology, Dr. Tedros explained. The UN health body chief  thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in providing all the support for the establishment of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar.

Modi said “India’s traditional medicine system is not limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life.”  Ayurveda goes beyond just healing and treatment, said Shri Modi and elaborated that in Ayurveda, apart from healing and treatment; social health, mental health-happiness, environmental health, sympathy, compassion and productivity are included. “Ayurveda is taken as the knowledge of life and it has been deemed as fifth Veda”, Modi said.

Good health is directly related to a balanced diet, said the Prime Minister. He explained that our ancestors considered diet as half of the treatment and our medical systems are replete with dietary advice. The Prime Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride for India that 2023 has been chosen as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations. He said that this step will prove to be beneficial for the humanity.

The Prime Minister emphasized that our ultimate goal should be of attaining wellness. He said while staying disease-free may be an important part of the life but ultimate goal has to be wellness. Importance of wellness, said the Prime Minister, was keenly felt during the pandemic period. “The world is looking for new dimension of health care delivery today. I am happy that by giving the slogan ‘One planet our health’ WHO has promoted the Indian vision of ‘One Earth, One Health’.

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, who attended the event, highlighted the importance of indigenous medical system and herbal products in various cultures. He said that there could not have been more opportune time than now for establishment the centre. He underlined the personal contribution of the Prime Minister Modi in taking leadership in establishment of the Centre. “We are extremely grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, Government of India and the Indian people for this generous contribution”, Jugnauth said.