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Context: The Union Government has approved the proposal to establish the WHO Global Center for Traditional Medicine in India.

Details:

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to establish the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Center for Traditional Medicine (WHO GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
• The WHO GCTM will be established in Jamnagar (Gujarat) under the Ministry of AYUSH.
• This would be the first and only global Center for traditional medicine across the globe.
• A Joint Task Force (JTF) is constituted for coordination, execution and monitoring of activities for the establishment of this Center.

Significance of the Steps:

• Promotion of AYUSH systems across the globe
• India will emerge as a global leader on global health matters related to traditional medicine.
• Promote Ensure quality, safety and efficacy, accessibility and rational use of traditional medicine.
• Help to develop norms, standards, and guidelines in relevant technical areas, tools and methodologies.
• WHO GCTM would emerge as a center of global wellness, promote evidence based research, training and awareness for Traditional Medicine.

Steps taken by government:

• The Ministry of AYUSH is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) through States/UTs for promotion and development of AYUSH systems of Medicine including Homoeopathy.
• Ministry’s launched the “Y-break” App for working professionals to Refresh, Re-focus and De-stress in just 5 minutes at their workplace to increase their productivity.
• A drive to plant herbal plants in Anganwadis, schools and kitchen gardens is also underway to ensure the easy availability of nutritious food and medicinal plants for pregnant and lactating women and children.
• AYUSH UDYAMAH was also inaugurated to relentlessly work towards making India’s Start-ups and the Start-up Ecosystem, the best in the world.
• Ayush Ministry launched ’Ayush Clinical Case Repository’ portal and AyushSanjivani App.
• The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and U.K.'s London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) came together to conduct a study on ‘Ashwagandha’ for promoting recovery from COVID-19.
• Ayush Ministry introduced an online application system to make the process of granting licenses easy and time-saving.
  • This will be helping in the process of granting license to manufacture Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani (ASU) drugs swift, paperless and more transparent.

Way forward:

• The Ministry of AYUSH has collaborated with WHO on many fronts including training and practice of Ayurveda and Unani System, developing apps like M-yoga, supporting the work on Herbal Medicine and other research studies etc.
• Traditional medicine is a key pillar of health care delivery systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and well-being.
• Safe and effective traditional medicine will play a significant role in ensuring all people have access to quality essential health care services and safe, effective and affordable essential medicines, and help in achieving Sustainable Development Goal by 2030.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/government-gives-nod-for-who-global-centre-for-traditional-medicine-in-gujarat/article65207178.ece

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