The World Health Organization (WHO) is set to formally recognize traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani by including their disease terminology and data in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This historic step, to be unveiled at a launch event in New Delhi on January 10th, 2024, promises to bring global uniformity and recognition to these ancient practices.
For decades, the global healthcare landscape has primarily relied on data and terminology based on modern biomedicine. Traditional medicine systems, despite their widespread use and rich history, remained largely absent from the WHO’s standardized classification system. This resulted in a lack of comprehensive data on traditional medicine diagnoses and prevented their integration into mainstream healthcare.
The inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani codes in ICD-11 marks a significant turning point. This integration will not only provide a global codebook for diseases identified by these systems but also ensure better data collection, monitoring, and research opportunities. Moreover, it paves the way for smoother integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems, potentially expanding access to care for millions.
The collaborative effort behind this achievement is noteworthy. The Ministry of Ayush in India, along with the WHO, played a crucial role in developing the categorization of data and terminology for the TM2 module of ICD-11. This involved meticulous mapping of traditional disease concepts to their biomedical equivalents while preserving the unique language and nuances of each system.
The impact of this initiative is expected to be far-reaching. It will strengthen India’s healthcare delivery system, boost research and development in traditional medicine, and facilitate the expansion of Ayush insurance coverage. Additionally, these codes will play a vital role in formulating strategies to address prevalent diseases like malaria and chronic insomnia using these holistic systems.
Furthermore, the inclusion of traditional medicine in ICD-11 sets a precedent that could inspire other WHO member countries to follow suit. This could lead to a world where traditional and modern medicine coexist and complement each other, offering patients a wider range of effective healthcare options.