India signs a landmark deal with the WHO to help promote Ayush around the world.

India and the WHO have decided to include traditional medicine in a global classification system, which means Ayush treatments will become more accessible around the world. The project showcases how traditional Indian medicine is being accepted into international healthcare. Modi noted this achievement, saying it brings Ayurvedic therapies closer to being introduced in other countries more systematically.

Context

• The Minister of Ayush signed an agreement with the WHO to build a Traditional Medicine module as part of the ICHI system. 

• Its goal is to help systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani become part of international health guidelines, allowing for scientific recognition and easier use by everyone.

Key Points

• Agreement Signing:

  • India’s Ministry of Ayush and WHO signed the MoU on May 24, 2025, with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, present.

• The Traditional Medicine Module forms part of the ICHI.

  • The new module works alongside WHO’s ICD-11 by adding standard global entries for treatments like Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, and regimens from Unani in a uniform style.

• Key Benefits:

  • All billing practices in Ayush are transparent, and their prices are fair.

  • The idea of having Ayush treatments in health insurance policies

  • Hospital management works on clinical papers and research

  • More people around the world can use traditional medicine methods.

• India’s Vision:

  • This action supports India’s effort to bring its old medical practices into the main global healthcare system, along with proof and accepted guidelines by science.

• Global Endorsement:

  • WHO praised India for donating $3 million to support traditional medicine and once again pledged its effort toward universal health coverage and Health For All.

About AYUSH Ministry and Traditional Medicines

About the Development of Ministry

• Began as the Department of Indian System of Medicine & Homoeopathy in 1995

• The department was renamed AYUSH in 2003.

• AYUSH Ministry was formed in 2014 to promote Ayurvedic, Yogic and other systems.

What does Traditional Medicine mean?

• According to the WHO, traditional medicine is what cultures use to support and treat health.

• Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Yoga, and Homeopathy make up India’s systems of medicine.

Why India is Strong in Traditional Medicine

• Plenty of medicinal plants are found here.

• At least 8,000 herbal remedies are recognized by AYUSH.

• The main systems in India are Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Folk medicine.

Growth and development

• AYUSH sector rose from $3 billion (in 2014) to $18 billion (in 2020) and may reach $24 billion in 2023.

• There are over 7,000 AYUSH wellness centers open across the country

• Development in innovation for supply chain, diagnostic practices and telemedicine

Government Initiatives:

• Affordable AYUSH services and better quality control through the National AYUSH Mission

• FSSAI’s AYUSH Aahar program is for producers of herbal supplements.

• The AYUSH Export Promotion Council supports India’s overseas exports.

• Planned AYUSH Parks and incubation centers to encourage research and help start-ups

WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM)

• In Jamnagar, Gujarat, you can find Sapphiro

• The world’s first global center exclusively for traditional medicine

• The main investment by India is valued at around US$ 250 million

Conclusion:

Working together, India and the WHO are bringing Ayush systems into mainstream classification worldwide. Ayurveda secures India a leading role in the global health arena by validating its traditional medicine, giving rise to reasonable, common and consistent health services around the globe.