The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Friday, announced its plan to set up a Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India. WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the announcement via a video message on 5th Ayurveda Day, at an event hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and as well as inaugurated two Ayurveda institutions in Jaipur and Jamnagar via video conferencing on the special occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his confidence in the future-institution becoming a centre of global wellness after India has already established itself as the ‘pharmacy of the world.’ The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) in Jamnagar at Gujarat and the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), in Jaipur at Rajasthan are both premier institutions of Ayurveda in the country.
“I am pleased to announce that we have agreed to open a WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in India to strengthen the evidence, research, training and awareness of traditional and complementary medicine,” Ghebreyesus stated.
“This new centre will support WHO’s efforts to implement the WHO traditional medicine strategy 2014-2023 which aims to support countries in developing policies and action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage and a healthier, fairer and safer world,” he added.
“It is a matter of pride for all Indians that the WHO has chosen India for establishing its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Now work will be done in this direction from India,” Narendra Modi proudly stated.
“I would like to thank the WHO and particularly its Director-General Tedros for giving this responsibility to India. I am confident that just like India has emerged as the pharmacy of the world, in the same manner, this centre for traditional medicine will become the centre for global wellness,” he added.
