India is set to host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17 to 19, reaffirming its leadership in advancing evidence-based traditional healthcare. The summit’s theme — “Restoring Balance for People and Planet: The Science and Practice of Well-Being” — places traditional medicine within the global conversation on sustainability, equity and resilient health systems.
The event will also witness the launch of the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL), the world’s most comprehensive digital repository on traditional, complementary and integrative medicine, featuring over 1.5 million records. With a vast institutional base comprising 3,844 AYUSH hospitals, 36,848 dispensaries, more than 7.5 lakh registered practitioners and hundreds of teaching institutions, India enters the summit with unmatched scale and experience.
Why traditional medicine matters today
Traditional medicine represents one of humanity’s oldest holistic healing traditions. According to the World Health Organization, traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) is practised in 170 of its 194 Member States. While countries such as India, China and Japan have long-established systems, traditional medicine also plays a vital role across Africa and the Americas, where many nations have integrated these practices into public health systems.
In India, systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani hold deep cultural, social and economic significance. Rooted in preventive, person-centred care, these systems emphasise balance and long-term well-being. Under the Ministry of AYUSH, Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy are formally recognised and integrated into the national health framework through institutions, service networks and community-based practices.
What the WHO Global Summit aims to achieve
The WHO recognises TCIM as an important source of primary healthcare, particularly valued for its accessibility, cultural relevance and personalised approach. As global interest grows in scientifically validated traditional practices, these systems are increasingly viewed as tools for advancing health equity.
The WHO Global Summits on Traditional Medicine aim to strengthen political commitment, promote research and innovation, and develop regulatory and quality frameworks. Key objectives include strengthening the evidence base, ensuring safety and quality through regulation and training, integrating TCIM into national health systems, and safeguarding traditional knowledge while conserving biodiversity.
India hosted the inaugural summit in Gujarat in 2023, where global research priorities were discussed. The second summit in New Delhi will build on this momentum, aligning closely with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 and positioning India as a key contributor to global standards and collaboration.
How AYUSH anchors India’s approach
The Ministry of AYUSH anchors India’s traditional medicine ecosystem through a comprehensive regulatory and institutional framework. It oversees education, research, drug quality and service delivery, with policy emphasis on scientific validation, system strengthening and integration with mainstream healthcare.
A cornerstone of India’s approach is the co-location of AYUSH services within public health facilities. Under the National AYUSH Mission (NAM), AYUSH units now function alongside allopathic services in Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals. Several major government hospitals have also established Integrated AYUSH Departments, reflecting a shift towards institutionalised integrative medicine.
As of 2024, India has 3,844 AYUSH hospitals, 36,848 dispensaries, over 7.5 lakh registered practitioners, 886 undergraduate and 251 postgraduate colleges, with thousands of co-located facilities nationwide.
Ensuring quality, research and regulation
AYUSH’s regulatory focus centres on pharmacovigilance, drug standardisation, education quality and evidence-based research. Research councils conduct clinical and observational studies, update pharmacopoeial standards and support public health research. Under NAM, hospitals and dispensaries have been upgraded, essential drugs supplied and teaching institutions strengthened.
Key schemes supporting quality and mainstreaming
The National AYUSH Mission remains the flagship scheme for expanding AYUSH infrastructure and service delivery. Complementing it is Ayurgyan, a central sector scheme supporting research, innovation and continuing medical education, enabling practitioners to update skills and adopt evidence-aware practices.
Ayurswasthya Yojana focuses on community-level wellness and strengthening Centres of Excellence, while the AYUSH Oushadhi Gunvatta evum Uttapadan Samvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) addresses quality assurance across drug manufacturing, testing laboratories and pharmacovigilance systems.
India has also prioritised the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants through targeted interventions supporting cultivation, nurseries and supply chains.
What to expect at the New Delhi summit
The New Delhi summit will bring together participants from over 100 countries, featuring more than 170 expert speakers across 25 sessions. The three-day programme spans ministerial dialogues, scientific sessions and thematic discussions focused on research methodologies, digital innovation, global standards and responsible use of AI in traditional medicine.
The summit aligns closely with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, which seeks to expand access to safe, effective and people-centric TCIM through stronger evidence, regulation, health-system integration and cross-sectoral collaboration.
A major highlight will be the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library, designed to support policymakers, researchers and practitioners worldwide. Other key launches include a Global Research Priorities Roadmap, a special WHO Bulletin issue on traditional medicine and the Health Heritage Innovations initiative.
As traditional medicine reclaims prominence in global health discourse, India stands at the forefront of this transformation. Its blend of ancient knowledge, modern regulation, scientific rigour and digital innovation positions the country as a global leader in the sector. Hosting the second WHO summit reinforces India’s role in shaping international standards and advancing equitable, evidence-based traditional healthcare.
Aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, India’s approach demonstrates how ancient wisdom and contemporary science can work together to improve human well-being while building a more inclusive and sustainable global health architecture.
