India-WHO MoU boosts traditional medicine
New Delhi
In a landmark development, the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a Traditional Medicine module within the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). This move seeks to globally standardize India’s traditional medical systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani.
The agreement was signed In the presence of WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha on May 24. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 122nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, lauded the initiative, emphasizing that it would make Ayush accessible to the global population through a scientific framework.
The ICHI system complements WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), enabling standardized documentation and coding of medical procedures. The new module will formally include therapies such as Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha techniques in globally recognized terms.
According to the Ayush Ministry, the initiative will improve billing and pricing mechanisms, enable Ayush integration into health insurance systems, enhance hospital administration, strengthen clinical documentation, and foster global research.
Dr. Tedros welcomed India’s $3 million contribution to WHO’s work in traditional medicine and the ICHI module. He appreciated India’s commitment to advancing universal health care through traditional practices.
The integration of Ayush into global systems marks a major step toward elevating traditional Indian medicine as a scientifically validated and internationally respected healthcare model. The combined ICHI and ICD-11 frameworks are expected to strengthen India’s influence in global healthcare governance.
