Indigenous health knowledge receives public attention

The first WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit concluded in Gandhinagar after its two-day meeting on 17–18 August 2023.

The closing date of the Gandhinagar meeting marks international discussion of evidence and health systems across diverse knowledge traditions.

Participants considered research and governance of traditional care; holding a summit did not validate every practice discussed.

The WHO summit connected traditional medicine, research and public health at an international meeting hosted in India.

A WHO regional message recognized traditional medicine’s place in African health care.

WHO encouraged research and appropriate regulation of traditional medicine.

The regional message called for engagement with traditional medicine in health systems.

The organization advised use of a second malaria vaccine to protect children at risk.

R21/Matrix-M joined RTS,S among WHO-recommended vaccines.

The recommendation created another option for countries seeking to expand immunization.