This is stated by Shyama Kuruvilla, director of the WHO World Center for Traditional Medicine, created in 2022 to harness the potential of these systems for health care and well-being.
“With half of the world's population lacking access to essential health services, traditional medicine is often the closest or only care available to many people,” Ms Kuruvilla said in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, ahead of this month's WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.
“For many others, it is the preferred option because it is personalized and holistic. It is bioculturally aligned and supports overall well-being rather than just treating symptoms of specific diseases,” he continued.
What is traditional medicine?
According to the WHO, traditional medicine comprises practices and knowledge from various historical and cultural contexts, which predate biomedicine and conventional medical practices.
Traditional medicine emphasizes nature-based remedies and holistic, personalized approaches to restore balance to the mind, body, and environment.
Ms Kuruvilla said global demand for traditional medicine is increasing due to chronic diseases, mental health needs, stress management and seeking meaningful care.
However, despite widespread use and demand, less than one percent of global health research funding currently supports it, he added.
What will happen at the Summit?
The Second WHO World Summit on Traditional Medicine will take place from December 17 to 19 and will bring together policymakers, professionals, scientists and indigenous leaders from around the world.
It will take place in New Delhi, India, and online.
Participants will discuss how to implement the WHO global traditional medicine strategy to 2034, which aims to promote evidence-based traditional, complementary and integrative medicine and provides guidance on regulation and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
“The World Summit aims to foster the conditions and collaborations necessary for traditional medicine to contribute on a large scale to the flourishing of all people and our planet,” Ms. Kuruvilla concluded.
At the same time, WHO is launching a global library of traditional medicine, the first digital platform of its kind with more than 1.6 million scientific records on the subject, a data network on traditional medicine and a Framework on Indigenous Knowledge, Biodiversity and Health, among other initiatives.
