Traditional Medicine in Global Healthcare: WHO’s 2025–2034 Strategy
SHENI Health News – June 2025
Introduction
Traditional medicine has long served as the primary source of healthcare for the majority of the global population, especially across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific Islands. With over 80 % reliance on these systems, the World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Traditional Medicine 2025–2034 marks an historic effort to formally integrate traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) into mainstream healthcare.
1. The Scope and Significance of Traditional Medicine
1.1 Global Scale
Over 170 Member States have reported TCIM use within their populations. These systems include Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Unani, Indigenous healing traditions, and homeopathy, often serving as the only trusted or accessible care for rural and marginalized communities.
1.2 Contributions to Innovation
Traditional medicine knowledge has directly informed the development of approximately 40 % of modern pharmaceuticals, including aspirin, artemisinin, and quinine—all of which underscore its scientific and commercial potential.
2. WHO’s 2025–2034 Strategy
2.1 Vision and Objectives
The vision is to ensure “universal access to safe, effective, people‑centred TCIM based on principles of sustainability, Indigenous rights, and health equity.” The strategy prioritizes:
- Policy and governance for TCIM regulation and capacity-building;
- Evidence generation through research and documentation;
- Health workforce integration via collaborative training;
- Product safety and quality via surveillance systems;
- Equitable and culturally aligned healthcare service delivery.
2.2 ICD‑11 and ICHI Inclusion
The addition of traditional medicine modules—such as Tantra Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani—to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‑11) and ICHI enables standardized data, cross-country comparability, and enhanced integration into health financing systems.
2.3 Tools for Implementation
WHO is rolling out:
- A Global Traditional Medicine Dashboard to monitor policies and practices;
- Online repository of TCIM research, guidelines, and best practices;
- Support for national TCIM reporting under WHO frameworks.
3. Regional Case Studies
3.1 India
India leads implementation with the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar and a US$3 million MoU with WHO supporting ICHI inclusion and capacity-strengthening. The government has committed over US$250 million in TCIM infrastructure and research.
3.2 Africa
In Sub-Saharan Africa, traditional healers serve as primary caregivers for up to 80 % of the population. Collaborative frameworks are being developed by WHO-AFRO and the AU to register practitioners, standardize herbal practices, and integrate them into primary care.
3.3 Latin America & Pacific Islands
Countries like Peru and Bolivia have embedded Indigenous medical knowledge into national health policies. Pacific nations including Samoa and Fiji are normalizing TCIM use within public health systems while preserving customary protocols.
4. Challenges and Opportunities
4.1 Evidence Gaps
Although acupuncture and some herbal therapies are well-supported by randomized controlled trials (RCTs), many traditional practices lack comparable study, presenting a barrier to broader professional and legal acceptance.
4.2 Safety and Regulation
Challenges such as counterfeit products, practitioner unlicensed service, and risks of drug-herb interactions call for regulatory vigilance and pharmacovigilance mechanisms.
4.3 Indigenous Rights and Ethics
The strategy commits to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), the Nagoya Protocol, and equitable benefit-sharing—ensuring communities retain agency and receive fair compensation.
5. Political Dynamics
The policy has garnered strong support from Global South governments—India, China, Africa—though some EU members expressed caution, fearing an implicit endorsement of unverified therapies. WHO emphasizes that its role is regulatory and evidence-based, rather than approving all traditional practices outright.
6. Financing and Resource Mobilization
No WHO-controlled funding exists; instead, member states are expected to drive implementation. India, China, and Korea have already allocated significant national budgets and research funding, but additional financial engagement, including private and philanthropic investment, remains essential.
7. Recommendations
- Governments should adopt comprehensive TCIM policies, regulate safely, and invest in domestic research capacity.
- WHO and International Agencies must support technical guidance, South-South cooperation, and inclusion of TCIM in UHC and SDG frameworks.
- Practitioners and Communities should be included in governance, research design, and education platforms.
Conclusion
The WHO’s 2025–2034 Traditional Medicine Strategy represents a transformational shift towards a pluralistic, equitable global health paradigm. For the Global South, this signals affirmation of cultural heritage, aligned scientific pursuit, and community-centred health planning. However, substantive impact will depend on national policy action, sustained financing, integrated training, and ethical engagement with Indigenous knowledge systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is traditional medicine? Culturally rooted health knowledge, practices, and therapies passed down through generations. Why is this strategy important? It aims to make healthcare more accessible, culturally relevant, and inclusive under UHC goals. Does WHO endorse all traditional therapies? No. Integration is guided by safety, evidence, and ethical practice criteria. Will WHO fund implementation? No. Member states bear fiscal responsibility, with WHO providing guidance. How are Indigenous rights protected? Through adherence to FPIC, benefit-sharing, and IP agreements. What’s next? Countries must legislate, invest in research, integrate curricula, and track health outcomes for TCIM services.
References
- World Health Organization. WHO global report on traditional and complementary medicine 2019. Geneva: WHO; 2019.
- World Health Assembly. WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy: 2025–2034. Geneva: WHO; 2024.
- Fabricant DS, Farnsworth NR. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. Environ Health Perspect. 2001;109(Suppl 1):69–75.
- World Health Organization. ICD‑11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics. Geneva: WHO; 2022.
- Ministry of AYUSH. India-WHO collaboration on Traditional Medicine. Government of India; 2024.
- African Union. Policy brief on traditional medicine in Africa. Addis Ababa: AU Commission; 2023.
- WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Overview 2025–2034. Geneva: WHO; 2025.
- UNDP. Equitable benefit-sharing and indigenous rights. New York: UNDP; 2022.
- Gavi. Health systems integration and local practices. Geneva: Gavi; 2023.
- The Lancet. Editorial: The return of traditional medicine. Lancet. 2024;403(10358):5–6.
About the Author
This article was prepared by the SHENI Health News editorial team, in collaboration with public health professionals from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.
Sheni Health News is an independent, open-access global health platform originating from the Global South. A joint initiative of Accreditation Sans Frontières and the Public Health Institute of Georgia, we connect local realities to global health debates. Learn more: https://sheni.news
#GlobalHealth #HealthEquity #TraditionalMedicine #TCIM #SheniNews
