First WHO traditional medicine summit concludes in India

WHO cites traditions from Mesopotamia, India, China, Madagascar and Mexico while stressing evaluation of effectiveness.

Delegates met in Gandhinagar to discuss evidence, access and the future of traditional medicine.

The Indian government and WHO convened practitioners, researchers and policymakers.

WHO’s director-general referred to his experience of traditional practitioners in Ethiopia.

The meeting asked how practices could be studied and integrated responsibly into health systems.

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.

The observance addressed how local knowledge and community practice relate to health systems.