WHO Explores the Future of Traditional Medicine Through  Science and AI 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has inaugurated a significant global conference  on traditional medicine in New Delhi, highlighting the potential of emerging  technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to provide scientific validation and regulatory  clarity to age-old healing practices. This three-day event aims to investigate how  traditional medicine can be thoughtfully integrated into contemporary healthcare  systems, ensuring safety, effectiveness, and evidence-based methodologies. In a video  message prior to the conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus  emphasized the ongoing relevance of traditional medicine in today’s society.

He noted  that the demand for these practices is increasing across various countries, cultures,  and communities, driven by their accessibility and cultural acceptance. Prime Minister  Narendra Modi, addressing the gathering, underscored India’s rich heritage in traditional  medicine and expressed hope that the conference would amplify global attempts to  realise its full potential. He also reaffirmed India’s dedication to supporting the WHO  Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, established in 2022 in Gujarat, which serves as a  global hub for research, policy development, and collaboration in this field. 

Global Reliance, Evidence-Based Integration, and Ethical  Challenges 

WHO officials emphasized that traditional medicine is a vital part of healthcare systems  worldwide, especially in areas where access to modern medical services is limited. 

Shyama Kurvilla, Head of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, described  the reliance on traditional remedies as a “global reality.” She highlighted that between  40 and 90 percent of populations in nearly 90 percent of WHO member states depend  

on conventional medicine as their major source of therapy. With about 50% of the  global population lacking access to essential health services, traditional medicine often  represents the most accessible, and sometimes the only, form of care available.  However, WHO also pointed out the challenges linked to unregulated practices, such as  the absence of scientific validation and concerns regarding patient safety. Concerns  regarding the ecological impact of certain traditional medicines, particularly those that  contribute to the illicit traffic in endangered animals, such as pangolins, rhinos, and  tigers. WHO clarified that its objective is not to replace traditional knowledge but to  assist countries in ensuring that these practices are safe, evidence-informed, and  ethically integrated into healthcare systems alongside conventional medicine. 

AI, Frontier Science, and Bridging Ancient Wisdom With  Modern Healthcare 

The conference’s main emphasis is the increasing role of cutting-edge technologies,  particularly artificial intelligence, in furthering the study of conventional medicine. WHO  declared the start of the world’s largest digital repository dedicated to traditional  medicine research, which includes nearly 1.6 million scientific records. This platform  aims to enhance the global evidence base, foster collaboration, and improve knowledge  sharing among researchers and policymakers. WHO Chief Scientist Dr. Sylvie Briand  explained that AI can significantly aid in analysing complex herbal formulations,  identifying active compounds, and predicting drug interactions, thereby enhancing both  safety and effectiveness.

Advanced technologies, such as imaging and brain scans, are  also enabling scientists to gain deeper insights into how traditional practices like  meditation and acupuncture affect physical and mental health. Experts believe that this  fusion of ancient wisdom and modern science represents a pivotal moment for global  healthcare. By applying rigorous scientific methods to traditional medicine, WHO  aspires to connect the past with the future, creating a more inclusive, reliable, and  sustainable healthcare system for future generations.