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In October 2023, the federal government announced the 11th world revision of the traditional medicine system associated with Ayurveda to put the Indian medical system on the world’s map and to provide a uniform and standardized language. I was asked to include it. Health Organization (WH) International Classification of Diseases (ICD)as the second module in the supplementary chapter on traditional medical conditions.
According to the WHO, ICDs can help you record and report health and health-related situations around the world. Ensures interoperability and comparability of digital health data. Includes diseases, disorders, health conditions, etc.
After a year of work on this aspect by the Indian government, the WHO has introduced a new module dedicated to the state of traditional medicine in the 2025 International Classification of Diseases, according to the Federal Ministry of Health.
This step will help in the systematic tracking and global integration of traditional systems of health care practices related to Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
How did this come about?
“This update follows a successful year of testing [process] Deliberations after the release of ICD-11 TM-2 of the UNANI Medical System for Ayurveda, Siddha and Country implementation tests (10 January 2024, in Delhi). It reached its peak in deliberations held at the WHO conference held at the National Institutes of Health in Malaysia in November 2024. The ICD-11 TM 2 module is now officially released on WHO’s ICD-11 Blue Browser,” the Ministry of Health said.
The inclusion of traditional medicine in the internationally recognized health framework means that the Indian health systems of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani are formally documented and classified in ICD-11 along with traditional medical conditions. Guaranteed.
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of Ayush, said, “The release of ICD-11 Update 2025 represents a key step towards global integration of traditional medicine, especially Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. Dual coding and data collection By allowing improvements to the update, this update will promote evidence-based policymaking, strengthen patient care, support the inclusion of traditional medicine in national health strategies, and provide a comprehensive and comprehensive global It promotes healthcare. This update also marks a pivotal moment for traditional medicine, paving the way for global integration and strengthens evidence-based integrated healthcare policies that embrace overall well-being .”
According to the WHOTraditional Medicine (TM) is a medical field in many countries, but its diagnosis is currently undocumented and has not been reported. Therefore, aggregated international data on TM encounters are not available in terms of form, frequency, efficacy, safety, quality, results, and cost.
TM chapters will help address the growing demand for better regulation and integration of TMs in mainstream healthcare and health information systems. According to the WHO website, efforts to effectively regulate traditional medicine as an integral part of the healthcare system require standardized, evidence-based information.
“With the new update, ICD-11 will provide more ease of use, interoperability and accuracy, benefiting the national health system and the people they serve.”
Does traditional medicine get Philip in this move?
The Ministry of Health said traditional medicine has long been an important component of medicine, especially in other regions where Asian, African and indigenous practices complement modern medical approaches.
The introduction of the “Traditional Medical Conditions” module in ICD-11 is a key step to acknowledging the important roles of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani in modern healthcare settings. The move is consistent with the WHO’s mission to promote universal health insurance and sustainable development goals, and recognizes the therapeutic potential of these systems along with modern medical treatment, the ministry said. Ta.
By formalizing these systems, we promote structured ways for researchers, policymakers and healthcare providers to systematically track and evaluate the impact of traditional medicine on health systems around the world. I’m doing it.
In India, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani are health care systems that have been accessed and used by millions of people.
“The ICD-11 Traditional Medicine Module is designed to capture morbidity data rather than mortality, helping governments and healthcare institutions assess the frequency, quality and cost-effectiveness of traditional medical interventions. This evidence-based approach allows policymakers to make informed decisions about the integration of traditional medical services into the national health framework,” the ministry said.
However, the WHO makes it clear that the chapter on traditional medicine “does not judge or support the scientific validity of traditional medicine practices or the effectiveness of traditional medicine interventions.”
As a tool to count and compare the conditions of traditional medicine, the ICD-11 chapter on traditional medicine, “can provide a means of conducting research and evaluation to establish the effectiveness of traditional medicine.”
Published – February 25, 2025 03:35 PM IST
