Restoring balance in health systems a global urgency, says PM Modi at WHO traditional medicine summit

New Delhi, December 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said restoring balance in health systems is no longer just a global cause but a global urgency, calling for accelerated and collective action to address emerging lifestyle-related health challenges.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine at Bharat Mandapam here, Modi said the past three days had seen serious and meaningful deliberations by global experts, and expressed pride that India had emerged as a key platform for advancing traditional medicine through science, standards and global cooperation.

“It is India’s privilege and a matter of pride that the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar,” the prime minister said, noting that the centre’s growing global influence reflects international confidence in India’s leadership. He said the summit demonstrated a powerful convergence of traditional knowledge and modern practices, opening new pathways for research collaboration, regulatory simplification and capacity building.

Modi highlighted the global consensus that strengthening research, leveraging digital technologies and building trusted regulatory frameworks would be critical to making traditional medicine safer and more credible worldwide. He pointed to the summit’s expo showcasing digital health technologies, AI-based tools and research innovations as evidence of a new partnership between tradition and technology.

Referring to yoga as an integral part of traditional medicine, the prime minister recalled that India’s initiative, supported by over 175 countries, led the United Nations to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day. He said yoga has since spread across the world, guiding people towards health, balance and harmony. He also felicitated recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for the Promotion and Development of Yoga, describing them as symbols of lifelong dedication and discipline.

The prime minister welcomed steps taken to institutionalise the summit’s outcomes, including the launch of the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a global repository of scientific data and policy documents. He said the initiative would ensure equitable access to reliable information across countries.

Modi also highlighted the inauguration of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office in Delhi, calling it a humble gift from India that would serve as a global hub for research, regulation and capacity building. He referred to new partnerships, including a Centre of Excellence for BIMSTEC countries and collaboration with Japan, aimed at integrating science, traditional practices and health systems.

Drawing from Ayurveda, Modi said balance is the essence of health, and many modern diseases stem from imbalances related to lifestyle, diet, sleep and emotional well-being. He warned that rapid technological change, coupled with reduced physical exertion, could create unforeseen health challenges, underscoring the need for traditional healthcare systems to prepare not only for present needs but also for future responsibilities.

On safety and evidence, the prime minister cited Ashwagandha as an example of India’s science-based approach. He said global demand for the herb rose during the COVID-19 pandemic and that India is advancing its validation through rigorous research, safety assessment and international dialogue.

Modi said traditional medicine stands at a decisive turning point, with the opportunity to gain wider global acceptance through science, trust and shared responsibility. He expressed confidence that the commitment and dialogue witnessed at the summit reflected the world’s readiness to move forward together.

The event was attended by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda, MoS Prataprao Jadav, health ministers from several countries, and senior officials from India and abroad.