WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) - UPSC Notes

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the World Health Organization – Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat. This topic is important for the current affairs section of the UPSC exam, especially with respect to the prelims exam.

WHO GCTM Details

The announcement was made subsequent to the signing of the host country agreement between the Government of India and the World Health Organization.

• The Director-General of the World Health Organization had announced the establishment of WHO GCTM on the occasion of the fifth Ayurveda Day on 13 November 2020, along with the Indian Prime Minister.
• A Joint Task Force (JTF) is being constituted for coordination, execution and monitoring of activities for the establishment of the Centre.  JTF comprises representatives from the Government of India, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva and the World Health Organization.
• The WHO GCTM is to be established under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy).
• The WHO GCTM will be the first global centre for traditional medicine.

Role of WHO GCTM

WHO GCTM will provide leadership on all global health matters related to traditional medicine.

• The WHO-GCTM will identify various challenges faced by the countries in regulating, integrating and further positioning Traditional Medicine in respective countries.
• It will help develop norms, standards and guidelines, tools and methodologies for collecting data, undertaking analytics and assessing the impact of the use of traditional medicines. It will work towards the creation of the WHO traditional medicine informatics centre through the collaboration of existing traditional medicine data banks, virtual libraries and research institutes. Read about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) in the linked article.
• The Centre will also assist in developing specific capacity building and training programmes in areas of relevance to the objectives and conduct training either on campus, or web-based, and through partnerships with the WHO Academy and other strategic partners.
• The WHO GCTM will extend support to member countries in shaping various policies related to traditional medicine research, practices and public health.

WHO GCTM Significance

WHO GCTM will help ensure quality, safety, efficacy, accessibility and rational use of traditional medicine by bolstering evidence-based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine.

• This will help position AYUSH systems across the globe while also helping develop specific capacity building in the domain of traditional medicine which in turn can ensure access to safe and effective traditional medicine.
  • Traditional medicine is a key pillar of health care delivery systems and could play a crucial role in maintaining the good health and well-being of the people.
  • Safe and effective traditional medicine will play a significant role in ensuring all people have access to quality essential health care services and safe, effective and affordable essential medicines.
    • The Sustainable Development Goal-3 envisages ensuring healthy lives and the promotion of the well-being of all. Universal health coverage and access to quality health care are major requisites to reach this goal.

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