The Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), concluded with a resounding call to integrate ancient healing practices into modern healthcare systems. Held from December 17-19 in New Delhi, India, the summit brought together government officials, scientists, and practitioners from over 100 countries to address a stark global reality: around 4.5 billion people lack access to essential health services, while 2 billion face financial hardship in getting vital health service.
Against this backdrop, traditional medicine, ranging from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to indigenous herbal practices, is increasingly seen as a critical tool for expanding affordable, accessible, and people-centred healthcare. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus underscored this potential, stating, “WHO is committed to uniting millennia of traditional knowledge with modern science and technology to ensure health for all.” The summit’s agenda focused on accelerating the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy (2025–2034), which prioritises evidence-based practice, regulatory strengthening, and equitable integration into national health systems.
Despite its widespread use – 170 of WHO’s 194 member states report that 40–90 percent of their populations rely on traditional medicine – the sector receives less than one percent of global health research funding. To address this, WHO launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a digital repository with 1.6 million scientific records, offering free access to institutions in low-income countries. Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, acting director of WHO’s Global Traditional Medicine Centre, emphasised, “Advancing traditional medicine is an evidence-based, ethical, and environmental imperative.” The summit also highlighted innovations leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and genomics. For example, Dr. Hong Chuan Yin, a London-based medical practitioner, presented a Modern Tongue Diagnostics (MTD) system that uses digital tongue images to identify diseases holistically. “MTD standardises practice, reduces variability, and offers a low-cost, non-invasive tool,” he explained, noting plans to develop an AI-powered version for remote communities.
A key moment was the recognition of 21 innovators selected from 1,175 global applicants under WHO’s Health and Heritage Innovations (H2I) initiative. Among them was Dr. Yin, whose MTD system was hailed for its potential to reduce dependency on expensive diagnostic equipment in resource-limited settings. The Himalayan region’s delegation, affiliated with the Himalayan Ring Public Welfare Collaboration Mechanism, showcased how traditional knowledge converges with contemporary science, a theme echoed in presentations on herbal pharmaceuticals, which originate from natural resources safeguarded by Indigenous communities.
WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Sylvie Briand stressed the need for balance: “We must apply the same scientific standards to biomedicine and traditional medicine alike, while respecting biodiversity, cultural specificities, and ethical principles.” This sentiment was reinforced in discussions about regulatory frameworks.
The summit concluded with pledges to establish an international consortium for implementing traditional medicine strategies globally. Governments and stakeholders were urged to increase funding, support education, and foster cross-sector collaboration.
The summit’s outcomes signal a paradigm shift: traditional medicine is no longer an alternative but an essential component of global health. By harnessing AI, genomics, and digital tools while preserving cultural integrity, it promises to make healthcare more accessible, sustainable, and people-centred. As Dr. Kuruvilla noted, “This Summit creates the conditions for traditional medicine to contribute at scale to the well-being of people and the planet.”
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(Based on contribution by Rajendra Prasad Rimal, a journalist from Nepal’s Jana Aastha National Weekly)
