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Saturday, April 23, 2022
On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Director-General of the World Health Organisation Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus inaugurated the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Prime Minister Modi had organised the Global AYUSH Investment and Innovation Summit in Gandhinagar, Gujarat which was attended by the WHO Chief Dr. Tedros and the Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth.
Dr. Tedros in his speech noted the importance of traditional medicines and said that “the contribution of traditional medicine to national health systems is not yet fully realised”.
According to the WHO, around 80% of the world’s population is dependent on traditional medicines. 170 member states of the WHO report the usage of traditional medicines.
He acknowledged that for many regions of the world, traditional medicines are the first line of treatment and traditional medicines lack systematic data and evidence due to lack of research. He added that the GCTM will aim at the data-driven optimised use and development of traditional medicines. Prime Minister Modi called Dr. Tedros his good friend and appreciated his comments and thanked him for his involvement in the project.
Prime Minister Jugnauth thanked Modi for involving Mauritius in the project. Jugnauth also gave the details about the legislative recognition of Ayurveda in his country since 1989.
India has invested US$250 million to support the establishment, infrastructure and operations of the GCTM which includes 10 acres of land and a 10-year commitment to support the GCTM’s operational costs.
Modi said that Ayurveda is more than healing and treatment and our ultimate goal must be attaining wellness. He also laid down the aims of the GCTM and appreciated the United Nations for announcing the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. He also noted the increasing demand for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicines around the globe.
The Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and the President of Maldives also appreciated the establishment of GCTM through video messages.
As a friendly gesture, Modi named Dr. Tedros ‘Tulsibhai’ in Gujrati at his request after Dr. Tedros called himself a ‘true Gujarati’. Modi said that the Tulsi plant (Holy Basil plant) is important in Indian rituals and numerous generations have continued to worship it.