Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 20: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Government of India on Friday adopted the Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine, committing to integrate safe and evidence-based traditional medicine into national health systems worldwide.
The declaration was adopted on the third day of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held in the national capital, which saw participation from ministers, policymakers, researchers, practitioners, indigenous representatives and civil society members from over 100 countries.
The Delhi Declaration aims to support the implementation of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, adopted earlier this year by the World Health Assembly. It outlines four key commitments focusing on research, regulation, health system integration and community participation.
Under the first commitment, member states agreed to strengthen the evidence base for traditional medicine, noting that less than one per cent of global health research funding is currently allocated to the sector. Countries committed to increasing investments in research infrastructure, workforce and methodologies, including community-based and indigenous research. The WHO Global Traditional Medicine Library will also be expanded to enhance knowledge sharing.
The second commitment focuses on regulation, with countries agreeing to strengthen governance and regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine products, practices and practitioners to ensure safety, quality and accountability.
The third commitment relates to integrating traditional medicine into health systems, particularly at the primary healthcare level, through measures such as education, accreditation, clinical guidelines and standardised data systems.
The fourth commitment underscores collaboration and community participation, recognising the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making. It also calls for cross-sector coordination to address gaps in investment, regulation and access, and explores the creation of a global consortium on traditional medicine.
The declaration states that member countries will translate these commitments into national actions between 2025 and 2027, with the WHO supporting monitoring and conducting a mid-term review in 2030.