In a significant step toward the global mainstreaming of traditional medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, organized a two-day Technical Project Meeting on Traditional Medicine (TM) intervention code set development in New Delhi. The meeting, held on December 20–21, 2025, focused on integrating Ayush systems into the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)—a globally recognized standard for classifying healthcare procedures.
Background: Landmark India–WHO Collaboration
The technical meeting was anchored in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and Donor Agreement signed between the Ministry of Ayush and WHO on May 24, 2025. This agreement lays the foundation for developing a dedicated Traditional Medicine module within ICHI, with India providing both financial and technical support. The initiative aims to bring Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into the global healthcare framework in a structured and scientific manner.
Alignment with National Vision
The initiative reflects the vision articulated by Narendra Modi, who has consistently emphasized the global outreach of Ayush systems through scientific validation. In his Mann Ki Baat address, the Prime Minister highlighted that standardized global frameworks would enhance the credibility, acceptance, and reach of Ayush interventions worldwide.
Echoing this sentiment, the Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush has previously noted that a dedicated ICHI module would not only support WHO’s inclusive and evidence-based healthcare agenda but also enable systematic global recognition of India’s traditional medical knowledge.
Leadership and Expert Participation
The technical sessions were chaired by Ms. Kavita Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, who led India’s efforts in developing National Health Intervention Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine. The Indian delegation included senior experts such as:
-
Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)
-
Prof. N. J. Muthukumar, Director General, Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS)
-
Dr. Zaheer Ahmad, Director General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)
Global Representation and WHO Leadership
The meeting witnessed participation from all six WHO regions—AFRO, AMRO, EMRO, EURO, SEARO, and WPRO, ensuring a comprehensive global perspective. Senior officials from WHO Headquarters, Geneva, led the classification discussions, supported by experts from the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Jamnagar, and the WHO SEARO office in Delhi.
Member States including Bhutan, Brazil, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, the UK, and the USA participated actively, sharing national experiences and working toward harmonized descriptions of traditional medicine interventions.
Why Integration into ICHI Matters
Integrating traditional medicine into ICHI is a critical step, as intervention coding provides a common global language for healthcare procedures. Standardized codes enable accurate documentation, reporting, and comparative analysis of treatment outcomes across countries and medical systems. This initiative will support:
-
Evidence-based clinical research
-
Policy formulation and health system planning
-
Integration of traditional medicine into national health information systems
-
Global scalability of validated Ayush interventions
The project will be implemented by WHO under strict timelines, following a rigorous scientific and consultative process.
Conclusion
The WHO–Ministry of Ayush technical meeting marks a transformative moment for traditional medicine, positioning India’s Ayush systems within the architecture of global health standards. By embedding Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani interventions into ICHI, the initiative not only enhances their scientific legitimacy but also paves the way for their wider adoption in global healthcare delivery. The collaboration underscores India’s growing leadership in shaping inclusive, evidence-based, and culturally rooted health systems worldwide.
The meeting, held on December 20–21, 2025, focused on integrating Ayush systems into the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI)—a globally recognized standard for classifying healthcare procedures. The initiative aims to bring Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani (ASU) systems into the global healthcare framework in a structured and scientific manner.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
