WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine To Come Up In Gujarat

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) at Jamnagar in Gujarat on Tuesday. GCTM will be the first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine across the world.

The GCTM is a truly global project as 107 WHO member countries have their country specific governmental offices which means the world will come to India for its leadership in the traditional medicine, said Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation (WHO).

“For many regions of the world, traditional medicine is the first line of treatment. The new centre will focus on data, innovation and sustainability and optimise the use of traditional medicine. Its five main areas will be research and leadership, evidence and learning, data and analytics, sustainability and equity and innovation and technology,” said Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.

Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Kumar Jugnauth highlighted the importance of indigenous medical system and herbal products in various cultures. There could not have been more opportune time than now for establishment of the centre, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Modi noted Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus’s connect with India and his personal involvement in the GCTM. “The GCTM is a recognition of India’s contribution and potential in this field. India takes this partnership as a huge responsibility for serving the entire humanity,” he said.

Modi further said Jamnagar’s contributions towards wellness will get a global identity with WHO’s Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Stating that more than five decades ago the world’s first Ayurvedic University was established in Jamnagar, he said the city has a quality Ayurvedic institute in Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda.

“While staying disease-free may be an important part of the life but ultimate goal has to be wellness. Importance of wellness was keenly felt during the pandemic period. India’s traditional medicine system is not limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life. Ayurveda goes beyond just healing and treatment,” the prime minister said.

Union Ministers Dr Mansukh Mandavia, Sabananda Sonowal, Munjapara Mahendrabhai and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel were among those present, according to a release of Prime Minister’s Office.