Geneva: The 78th World Health Assembly, scheduled to convene in Geneva during the third week of May, will feature a high-level segment focusing on 'Traditional Medicine: From Traditional Heritage to Frontier Science, for Health for All.'
According to Emirates News Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO) has informed India's Ministry of Ayush that this segment will take place under the auspices of the Group of Friends of Traditional Medicine. The forum will provide WHO member states with a platform to discuss and promote the integration of traditional medicine into global health systems, as confirmed by Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush.
The World Health Assembly serves as WHO's decision-making body, with delegations from all 194 WHO Member States participating annually. This year's assembly is set to begin on May 19th in Geneva.
The segment dedicated to Traditional Medicine aims to emphasize the growing international momentum to incorporate Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine into universal health systems and sustainable development frameworks, as stated by the Indian Ministry. The acronym Ayush represents alternative healthcare systems, including naturopathy, yoga, ayurveda, unani, siddha, sowa rigpa, and homeopathy.