Global Summit Aims to Harness Evidence-Based Traditional Medicine for Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030
Health ministers, scientists, practitioners of traditional medicine, and members of civil society from 88 countries recently attended the first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Global Summit in Gandhinagar, India. The Summit, held on August 17th and 18th, aimed to unite various stakeholders in harnessing the potential of evidence-based traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) to achieve universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
The Summit provided a platform for participants to share their unique experiences, best practices, and ideas for collaboration. Indigenous Peoples from countries such as Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Guatemala, and New Zealand were among the diverse group present, highlighting the integral role of TCIM in healthcare, culture, and livelihoods.
Preliminary findings from the WHO Global Survey on Traditional Medicine revealed that approximately 100 countries have national policies and strategies related to TCIM. In many countries, TCIM treatments are included in essential medicine lists, essential health service packages, and covered by national health insurance schemes. A significant number of individuals seek TCIM interventions for noncommunicable diseases, palliative care, rehabilitation, and prevention.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General at WHO, emphasized the importance of building a stronger evidence base for TCIM to enable countries to develop appropriate regulations and policies. This evidence can play a crucial role in integrating traditional medicine into health systems in a safe and effective manner.
The Summit also explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in mining complex data on traditional medicine. AI can identify practices worthy of further scientific evaluation, leading to evidence-based policies that expedite the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stated that the Summit aimed to collaborate and bring traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine under the umbrella of primary health care and universal health coverage. He emphasized the need for better evidence on the effectiveness, safety, and quality of traditional and complementary medicine, calling for innovative methodologies to assess and evaluate outcomes.
Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Senior Strategic Adviser at WHO and lead for the Traditional Medicine Global Centre, acknowledged the wealth of knowledge gained from the summit but acknowledged that there is still a long road ahead in fully understanding and utilizing the potential of TCIM approaches to enhance people’s health and well-being in harmony with the planet.
The Summit concluded with participants committing to various actions, including global policy development, leadership, innovation, strengthening the health workforce, data and evidence collection, monitoring, regulation, legal frameworks, and the protection of biodiversity and sustainable development.
Overall, the Global Summit on Traditional Medicine showcased the dedication and collaboration of stakeholders from around the world in harnessing the power of evidence-based traditional medicine to achieve universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. By embracing different perspectives and emphasizing rigorous scientific evaluation, the Summit aims to create a healthier planet for healthier people.
