Next month in Gujarat, India will co-host the first global summit on traditional medicine organized by the WHO

At a co-branded event on traditional medicine with the globe Health Organization in Gujarat next month, India is getting ready to invite more than 40 health ministers from across the globe.

According to information obtained by News18, this will be the “first WHO traditional medicine global summit” to exchange information on the benefits of traditional medicine for human health. The Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM), a first-of-its-kind initiative of the WHO, was formally unveiled in April 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

The same center that is focusing on integrating science and evidence-based methods in alternative medicine helped to develop the most recent event. Along with the G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers Meeting on August 19, it will take held in Gandhinagar on August 17 and 18.

Along with other events like the “India MedTech Expo” and “One Earth One Health Advantage Healthcare,” India has also organized the “Medical Value Tourism (MVT) Summit” with the goal of promoting medical tourism in India.

At least 22 health ministers from other countries have been invited to attend the MVT Summit, in addition to the 20 health ministers from G20 nations who will already be in India for the finance meeting, a government official told News18, adding that more invitations may be sent in the coming week.

The debut of the “Heal in India, heal by India” webpage may be announced at the medical value tourism event, the person said. “We are busy finalizing the plans, but so far, it has been decided,” the official added.

The official continued, “This program’s rollout has been delayed for a while. However, with a number of health ministers in attendance, it would be the ideal setting for a worldwide launch.

WHO’S “FINALIZING PLAN”

WHO informed News18 via email that the roster of speakers and participants is still being finalized. “We are constantly updating the website with new material. Before the summit begins, a press release and a media alert with more information will be provided.

Top UN officials, including Ghebreyesus, will attend the two-day event scheduled by the WHO, according to government sources. Digital health, national and international policy environments, and the legal and regulatory framework for alternative medicine will be the main topics.

India, which is now in charge of the G20, welcomed a ministerial discussion on the benefits of traditional medicine and indigenous knowledge on the second day. The WHO, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ayush Ministry are working together on the bulk of the planning. The preparation of the medical tourism event is the responsibility of the industry lobby, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Industry (FICCI).