India and WHO to Promote Traditional Systems of Medicine
Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine.
The PCA was signed by Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, Ajit M Sharan and Assistant Director General, Health Systems and Innovations, WHO, Dr. Marie Kieny, in Geneva on 13th May, 2016.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and the Director-General, WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan witnessed the signing of the agreement at the WHO headquarters.
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According to a statement by the Indian government, the agreement aims to support WHO in the development and implementation of the ‘WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023’ and will contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine.
The PCA for the period 2016-2020 will deliver WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma.
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The government claims that the PCA with WHO is a further recognition of India’s experience in the development and governance of traditional medicine.
The government further said that the agreement will pave the way for India’s long-term collaboration with the WHO in fostering the global promotion and integration of AYUSH systems of medicine through the inclusion of Ayurveda and Unani in the International Classification of diseases and the International Classification of Health interventions.
Photo courtesy: Press Information Bureau
