NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Gujarat will usher in an age of traditional medicine globally. The PM along with World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus laid the foundation stone for the centre at Jamnagar on Tuesday.
Thanking the WHO chief for handing India a “big responsibility”, PM Modi laid out five objectives for the centre: Co-ordinating traditional medicines by using technology; Forming international standard for traditional medicines to increase people’s trust; Becoming a platform where global experts of traditional medicines can come together; Mobilising funding in the field of research; and Formulating holistic treatment protocol for certain diseases.
“India is taking this centre as a big responsibility for service to all of humanity. This centre has opened the door to age of traditional medicine in the world and will help in providing better medical solutions to the world with the support of traditional medicine,” said the PM
“India’s worthy traditions are very useful to the world in fighting diseases like diabetes, obesity and depression. Yoga is prevailing through International Yoga Day and helping in decreasing mental pressure and maintaining balance all over the world. It’s very important for this new centre to play an important role in expanding the scope of yoga,” said PM Modi.
He also thanked the United Nations for accepting India’s proposal and declaring 2023 as the International Millet Year.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth also attended the event, while the PMs of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal gave virtual speeches.
‘World will come to India’
Dr Tedros greeted the public in Gujarati during the inaugural ceremony and talked about his “special connection” with India. “I learned about traditional medicines from India,” he said, adding: “The centre that we are launching will help harness the power of science to strengthen evidence-based traditional medicine. I am grateful to PM Modi and the government of India for their leadership in supporting this important initiative.”
PM Modi had announced USD 250 million investment to establish the centre with an interim office and a 10-year commitment for operating costs. “From the day I spoke to PM Modi, his commitment was amazing and I knew that this centre will be in good hands,” said the WHO chief.
“This is a truly global project … this means that India will go the world and the whole world will come to India,” he added.
(with inputs from agencies)
