Geneva: The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global digital library on traditional medicine, containing over 1.6 million scientific records, alongside a data network and framework to support indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and health.
According to Qatar News Agency, Director of WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine Shiama Korovila mentioned that 40-90 percent of populations in most WHO member states rely on traditional medicine. She noted it has become a global reality, particularly since half of the world's population lacks access to essential health services.
Korovila stressed that traditional medicine is a preferred, personalized, and holistic approach aligned with cultural and biological aspects, yet it receives less than 1 percent of global health research funding.
The upcoming summit in India, scheduled for December 17-19, will bring together policymakers, practitioners, scientists, and indigenous leaders to discuss implementing WHO's Traditional Medicine Strategy until 2034. The strategy aims to develop evidence-based traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine while providing guidance on regulation and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine was established in 2022 to harness the therapeutic potential of traditional medicine in promoting global health.