New Delhi, March 9 (Agency) The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The said Centre, established under the Ministry of Ayush, would be the first and only global Centre for traditional medicine across the globe, a Cabinet statement stated. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghbereyesus, DG, WHO had announced the establishment of the Centre in India on the occasion of 5th Ayurveda Day on 13th November, 2020 in presence of the PM. The Prime Minister then praised this initiative of WHO and mentioned that WHO GCTM would emerge as a centre of global wellness, bolster evidence based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine.
The establishment of the Centre will position Ayush systems across the globe and provide leadership on global health matters pertaining to traditional medicine. “The Centre will also ensure quality, safety and efficacy, accessibility and rational use of traditional medicine. It will develop norms, standards, and guidelines in relevant technical areas, tools and methodologies, for collecting data undertaking analytics, and assess impact,” the statement added. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine will develop specific capacity building and training programmes in the areas of relevance and conduct training programmes in campus, residential, or web-based, and through partnerships with the WHO Academy and other strategic partners. The WHO Centre would provide leadership on all global health matters related to traditional medicine as well as extend support to member countries in shaping various policies related to traditional medicine research, practices and public health, the statement said.