Category: Global Health & Integrative Medicine
Reading Time: ~6 minutes
Published: December 22, 2025
Published by: Yarima.org Health Team
A Global Turning Point for Traditional Medicine
In December 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Government of India, convened the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi. The event marked a major milestone in global health, signaling a shift from discussion to action in how traditional medicine is recognized, studied, and integrated into modern health systems.
The summit brought together 800 in-person delegates and more than 16,000 online participants from over 100 countries, including health ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners.
Why Traditional Medicine Matters Today
Traditional medicine continues to play a vital role in health care for billions of people worldwide. From herbal therapies and acupuncture to Indigenous healing practices, these systems often provide:
- Affordable care
- Culturally grounded treatments
- Accessible health solutions in underserved areas
WHO emphasized that traditional medicine can help address modern health challenges such as:
- The rise of noncommunicable diseases
- Inequitable access to health services
- Climate and sustainability concerns
Major Announcements from the Summit
1. Launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library
WHO unveiled the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a first-of-its-kind digital platform that brings together 1.6 million resources related to traditional medicine.
The library includes:
- Scientific research
- Indigenous knowledge records
- Evidence gap maps
- An AI-powered research tool (TMGL GPT)
This platform aims to improve global access to trusted information and accelerate evidence-based research.
2. Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I) Initiative
To bridge ancient practices with modern science, WHO launched Health & Heritage Innovations (H2I).
Key highlights:
- Over 1,000 innovation submissions
- 21 finalists selected
- One-year acceleration program offering scientific, regulatory, and policy guidance
The initiative focuses on combining traditional medicine with technologies like AI, genomics, and digital health.
3. New WHO Advisory Group on Traditional Medicine
WHO announced the creation of the Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (STAG-TM).
This group of 19 independent experts will:
- Guide research priorities
- Develop safety and quality standards
- Support responsible integration into health systems
Their early priorities include evidence generation, digital innovation, preservation of traditional knowledge, and workforce capacity building.
The Delhi Declaration: From Recognition to Action
A major outcome of the summit was the Delhi Declaration, endorsed by 26 countries. This commitment focuses on:
- Integrating traditional medicine into primary health care
- Strengthening safety and regulatory standards
- Investing in scientific research
- Building interoperable data systems to track outcomes
The declaration marks a shift toward making traditional medicine a formal contributor to universal health coverage, rather than a parallel or informal system.
WHO’s Vision Going Forward
WHO leadership emphasized that traditional medicine can support person-centered, holistic, and culturally respectful care when guided by science, safety, and equity.
Future efforts will focus on:
- Expanding access to reliable evidence
- Supporting innovation responsibly
- Embedding traditional medicine within national health systems
Bottom Line
The WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine represents a turning point. By combining traditional knowledge with modern science, regulation, and innovation, global health systems can become more inclusive, resilient, and responsive to the needs of diverse populations.
This new strategy charts a future where traditional medicine is no longer on the margins—but part of the global health solution.
📚 References
- World Health Organization – WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine (Dec 2025)
https://www.who.int