Indian-hosted summit links medicine and health policy

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 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.

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.

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.