Donor Agreement between Ministry of Ayush and WHO

The Donor Agreement between Ministry of Ayush and WHO is a significant step towards enhancing global cooperation in the field of traditional medicine. Read here to learn more about it.

The Ministry of Ayush, the Government of India and the World Health Organization signed a Donor Agreement during a signing ceremony organized at WHO Headquarters in Geneva.

This agreement aims to promote research, development, and integration of traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy, into mainstream healthcare.

Donor Agreement between Ministry of Ayush and WHO

• Objective: The primary aim of this agreement is to support the establishment of a WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. This centre will act as a hub for global collaboration and research in traditional medicine.
• Funding and Support: The Ministry of Ayush has committed to providing financial and logistical support for the establishment and operation of the GCTM. This includes funding for infrastructure, research projects, and collaborative initiatives.
• Through this collaboration, the Government of the Republic of India will donate US$ 85 million over 10 years (2022-2032) to support the operations of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
• The Donor agreement recognizes the establishment of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre as a key knowledge hub for evidence-based Traditional Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) aiming to advance the health and well-being of people and the planet.
• Research and Development: The agreement emphasizes promoting evidence-based research in traditional medicine. It aims to validate and document the efficacy of conventional medicine practices and integrate them into the global healthcare system.
• Capacity Building: The agreement includes provisions for training and capacity-building programs for healthcare professionals in traditional medicine. This will help in standardizing practices and ensuring quality healthcare delivery.
• Global Collaboration: The WHO GCTM will facilitate collaboration between countries and institutions involved in traditional medicine. It will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and research findings.
• Policy Development: The agreement aims to support the development of policies and guidelines for the safe and effective use of traditional medicine. This includes ensuring quality control, safety, and regulation of traditional medicine products and practices.

Impact and Significance

• Promotion of Traditional Medicine: The establishment of the WHO GCTM in India is expected to boost the global recognition and acceptance of traditional medicine systems. It will highlight India’s rich heritage in conventional medicine and position the country as a global leader in this field.
• Health Integration: Integrating traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare can provide holistic health solutions and improve patient outcomes. It can also offer alternative and complementary therapies for various health conditions.
• Research and Innovation: Enhanced research capabilities will lead to discoveries and innovations in traditional medicine. This can result in the development of new treatments and therapeutic approaches.
• Economic Benefits: Promoting traditional medicine can have significant economic benefits, including job creation, increased healthcare access, and growth of the traditional medicine industry.

Government initiatives to promote traditional medicine

India has a rich heritage of traditional medicine, encompassing systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).

The government has initiated several programs and policies to promote and integrate traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare system.

• Ministry of AYUSH: The Ministry of AYUSH, established in 2014, focuses on the development and promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy. This ministry plays a central role in formulating policies and strategies for the growth of traditional medicine systems.
• National AYUSH Mission (NAM): Launched in 2014, NAM aims to improve access to AYUSH services through increased availability of AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries, and ensure the integration of AYUSH services in health care delivery systems at all levels.
• AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres: As part of the Ayushman Bharat initiative, the government is setting up AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres across the country to provide comprehensive primary health care services, including wellness through AYUSH.
• Inclusion in the National Health Mission (NHM): AYUSH has been integrated into the National Health Mission, which aims to provide affordable and quality healthcare to rural populations. This integration ensures the use of traditional medicine in primary healthcare settings.
• Research and Development: The government supports research in traditional medicine through institutions like the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), and others. These bodies conduct scientific studies to validate and standardize traditional practices.
• AYUSH Education: The government has established various AYUSH educational institutions and universities to ensure high standards of education and training in traditional medicine. The National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH) regulate education and practice standards in these fields.
• International Collaboration: India collaborates with various countries and international organizations to promote traditional medicine globally. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with countries like China, Malaysia, and Hungary to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and practices.
• Digital Initiatives: Initiatives like the National AYUSH Grid aim to digitize the entire AYUSH sector, enabling better service delivery, research, and management of health information.
• Financial Support and Incentives: Various schemes and financial incentives are provided to AYUSH practitioners and institutions to encourage the growth of traditional medicine practices. These include grants for infrastructure development, research projects, and scholarships for students.
• Promotion and Awareness Campaigns: The government conducts nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the benefits of traditional medicine. National Ayurveda Day, International Yoga Day, and other such events are organized to promote traditional health practices.

Conclusion

The Donor Agreement between the Ministry of Ayush, the Government of India, and the WHO represents a strategic partnership to advance the field of traditional medicine on a global scale.

It underscores the commitment of both parties to fostering research, innovation, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and the global healthcare landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is a donor agreement?

Ans: A Donor Agreement is a formal document that outlines the terms and conditions under which a donation is made from a donor to a recipient organization. It serves as a contractual agreement to ensure that both parties understand their roles, responsibilities, and expectations regarding the donation.

Q. What is traditional medicine?

Ans: WHO defines traditional medicine as “It is the sum of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health and the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness.”

Q. What is WHO’s position on traditional medicine?

Ans: WHO recognizes the diversity of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (T&CM) practices across countries of the world and its contribution to health, well-being, people-centred health care and universal health coverage.

-Article by Swathi Satish