look news india
New Delhi, August 01 (HS). India will donate US $ 85 million over a period of 10 years (2022-2032) for the operation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Center Jamnagar. In this regard, the Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization signed a donor agreement on Thursday during a signing ceremony held at the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
The agreement outlines the financial terms for operating the activities of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) Jamnagar. The agreement was signed by Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations on behalf of the Ministry of AYUSH and Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General Universal Health Coverage Life WHO on behalf of WHO.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH registered his virtual participation in the event. The event was moderated by Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director (Interim) of WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine and vote of thanks was presented on behalf of Dr. Razia Pendse, Director General of WHO.
Under this collaboration, India will donate US$85 million for the operationalisation of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine over a period of 10 years (2022-2032). This donor agreement recognizes the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine as a premier knowledge hub with the objective of advancing traditional, complementary and integrative medicine through evidence-based means to improve life, general and global health and well-being.
With the approval of the Union Cabinet, a Host Country Agreement was signed between the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and WHO on 25 March 2022 approving the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, Jamnagar, Gujarat. The centre is the only out-posted centre globally for traditional medicine.
It is noteworthy that the WHO-GTMC interim office is already operational and is developing capacity building and training programs as per its set objectives. These programs will include campus-based, residential or web-based trainings which will be conducted in collaboration with the WHO Academy and other strategic partners. The joint efforts of the Ministry of AYUSH and WHO will not only benefit the Indian health system but will also contribute to the global health agenda and strengthen our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals through traditional medicine.