Centre Proposes Inclusion of Traditional Medicine in WHO’s List

In a bid to gain global recognition for India’s traditional medicine, the Indian government has made a formal request for the inclusion of Ayurveda and related systems in the 11th revision of the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This move is aimed at establishing a standardized language that can be utilized by healthcare professionals worldwide.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, the Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, emphasized the significance of this proposal, underscoring that it would play a crucial role in effectively regulating and integrating traditional medicine into the existing healthcare system. He shared his thoughts in an interview with The Hindu.

The envisioned inclusion of the second module for Ayurveda in ICD-11 is anticipated to streamline research and evaluation processes, ultimately establishing its efficacy within the global healthcare framework. This development follows the successful integration of Module-1, covering traditional medicine conditions originating from ancient China, into ICD-11.

The digitization of ICD-11 is an essential aspect of this effort, and the proposed integration of Ayurveda is seen as a major stride towards achieving various goals. It is expected to lead to better insurance coverage, improved reporting of adverse events, and the alignment of traditional medicine practices with global healthcare standards.
The Ministry of Ayush is actively involved in the development of Module-2, drawing upon the knowledge and experiences gained through the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic portal and the Ayush Health Information Management System.

This initiative is not just limited to the inclusion of Ayurveda in a global classification system; it is expected to have far-reaching implications. It is poised to facilitate the integration of traditional medicine into mainstream health information systems, bridging the gap between traditional and modern healthcare practices. Additionally, it aligns with the objective of achieving universal health coverage, a vision endorsed by the World Health Organization.

The proposed inclusion of Ayurveda and related traditional systems in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a significant step in promoting these age-old healthcare practices on a global scale. This initiative, led by the Indian government, is aimed at providing a common language for healthcare professionals worldwide to better understand and integrate traditional Indian medicine.

Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, the Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, highlighted the importance of this move. He emphasized that it would not only support the effective regulation of traditional medicine but also facilitate its integration into the existing healthcare system. This integration is crucial for ensuring that traditional Indian medicine, including Ayurveda, can coexist harmoniously with modern healthcare practices.

The proposed inclusion of the second module for Ayurveda in ICD-11 is expected to have several positive outcomes. It will streamline research and evaluation processes, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of Ayurveda and related systems in the context of global healthcare.

ICD-11 has already successfully included Module-1, which covers traditional medicine conditions originating from ancient China. With the digital transformation of ICD-11, the integration of Ayurveda is a significant step forward. It is anticipated to lead to better insurance coverage for traditional Indian medicine, improved reporting of adverse events, and the alignment of traditional healthcare practices with global healthcare standards.

The Ministry of Ayush is actively involved in the development of Module-2, drawing upon the experiences and knowledge gained through the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic portal and the Ayush Health Information Management System. This involvement demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that Ayurveda and related systems are well-represented in the global healthcare classification system.

Furthermore, this move goes beyond the mere inclusion of Ayurveda in a classification system. It is expected to promote the seamless integration of traditional Indian medicine into mainstream health information systems. This integration will bridge the gap between traditional and modern healthcare practices, creating a more holistic approach to healthcare.

In line with the vision of the World Health Organization, this initiative aligns with the objective of achieving universal health coverage. By recognizing and standardizing traditional Indian medicine, it takes a step closer to making healthcare accessible to all. This is a noteworthy development that has the potential to positively impact the global healthcare landscape.