At the closing of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that healthcare must be integrated and inclusive, highlighting how science and tradition complement each other. The summit, co-hosted by India, gathered ministers, scientists, and practitioners from over 100 countries to advance global dialogue on traditional healing practices.

Dr. Tedros praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for championing traditional medicine on the world stage, noting that his ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision aligns with the core principles of balance and harmony in traditional medicine. He commended India for transforming vision into action, describing the country as a global leader in advancing evidence-informed traditional healthcare.

“India has shown the world that traditional wisdom and modern science are not inconsistent, but complementary,” Dr. Tedros stated. He emphasized that traditional medicine can address modern health threats, economic burdens, and healthcare inequities, adding that PM Modi’s leadership has been instrumental in promoting this integrated approach globally.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which commits to ensuring safety, quality, and public trust in traditional medicine through regulation. It also aims to safeguard biodiversity, respect intellectual property, and harness digital technologies to improve access and research.

Dr. Tedros highlighted key initiatives like India’s Ministry of AYUSH and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar as landmark efforts to integrate traditional practices into health systems worldwide. Union Health Minister J P Nadda reinforced India’s commitment to advancing AYUSH through evidence-based approaches and integrating it with modern medicine in institutions like AIIMS.

As the summit wrapped up, Dr. Tedros called for a united effort to build integrated, inclusive, and informed health systems that restore balance between people, communities, and the planet for future generations.