Traditional medicine in WHO framework

How inclusion of traditional medicine benefits global health

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @ New Delhi

IN a significant step for the global recognition of traditional medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a pioneering new module dedicated to traditional medicine conditions, in its 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

This announcement marks a monumental step in systematic tracking and global integration of traditional healthcare practices related to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, officials said on Wednesday.

The inclusion of traditional medicine in the WHO's internationally-recognised health framework ensures that the traditional healthcare systems of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are officially documented and categorized in ICD-11, alongside conventional medical conditions. "This elevates their status in global health reporting, research, and policymaking," a Ministry of Ayush statement read.