New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed to donate $85 million to the government of India for the establishment of a global out-posted Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat, a PIB press release stated.
The funds will be utilized for the operational and training programs of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) that is set to become the first global out-posted Centre for traditional medicine across the globe. The centre will offer capacity-building and training programs to advance the health and well-being of people and the planet.
The agreement was signed by the Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Arindam Bagchi, and the Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course on behalf of the Ministry of Ayush and WHO respectively at the signing ceremony held at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 31 July 2024.
The Ministry of Ayush has already collaborated with WHO in the development of benchmark documents for training and practice in various traditional medicine systems including ayurveda, unani and siddha. Under the joint efforts of the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and WHO, the GTMC will not only benefit India but also contribute to the global health agenda by fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals through traditional medicine.