New Delhi: The World Health Organization’s ICD-11, Traditional Medicine Module 2 was launched here today by Union Minister of State for Ayush Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai, who said there is a need to modernize Ayush medicine by integrating it with global standards in India as well as across the world.
The data and terminology relating to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Medicine have been included and indexed as a code in the WHO Disease Classification Series ICD-11. Dr Robert Jacob, Head of the Classification and Terminology Unit, WHO, said that the data listed in ICD-11 will be available for global use.
The Ministry of Ayush which in collaboration with WHO prepared the classifications of diseases under the TM2 Module of the ICD-11 series, stated that preparations have started for its implementation.
A Donor Agreement between the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Ayush was also signed earlier for this classification. “This effort will further strengthen and expand India’s healthcare delivery system, research, Ayush insurance coverage, research & development, policy making system. Apart from this, these codes can also be used to formulate future strategies to control various diseases in society,” the Ministry stated.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary (Ayush) said that the Ministry of Ayush will prepare a public health strategy based on ICD-11, Module 2 and will implement it nationally and internationally.
The inclusion of traditional medical terminologies in ICD-11 forms a link between traditional medicine and global standards, said Dr. Radarico H. Ofrin, WHO Representative to India. According to Dr Sameera Asma, Assistant Director-General of DDI, WHO, the indexing of disease terminology related to traditional medicine in ICD-11 proves to be a milestone in building a unified global tradition. Dr Shyama Kuruvilla, Senior Strategic Advisor, WHO joined the event online and said that the inclusion of traditional medical terminology in ICD-11 will further strengthen India’s routine health system.
According to Dr Rudy Eggers, Director of Integrated Health Services, WHO, the inclusion of TM Module 2 in ICD-11 can be seen as a movement along with the global recognition of traditional medicine. The strategy for this was prepared from 2014 to 2023 and the first draft of the WHO strategy for Traditional Medicine for 2025 to 2034 has been prepared.
Representatives from member countries of WHO including Brazil, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Iran and Britain shared their experiences regarding the current status of Traditional Medicine in their respective countries.
The event was attended by senior officials of WHO and the Ministry of Ayush.
– global bihari bureau
