NewzVille Desk
An agreement was signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO) on 24 May, 2025. The agreement marks the beginning of work on a dedicated Traditional Medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI). Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Ayush Secretary and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director General of World Health Organization signed the agreement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the significance of the achievement during the 122nd episode of Mann Ki Baa said: “Friends, something has happened in the field of Ayurveda as well, which you will be very happy to know about. Just yesterday, i.e. on 24th May, an MoU was signed in the presence of WHO Director General and my friend Tulsi Bhai. Along with this agreement, work has started on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will help in making Ayush reach maximum number of people across the world in a scientific manner.”
The ICHI, complementing WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), documents what treatments and health interventions are administered. With the inclusion of a traditional medicine module, therapies from Ayurveda, Yoga, Siddha, and Unani systems—such as Panchakarma, Yoga therapy, Unani regimens, and Siddha procedures—will now be recognized in globally standardized terms.
Benefits of the Agreement
# Transparent billing and fair pricing for Ayush services.
# Smoother integration of Ayush treatments in health insurance coverage.
# Enhanced hospital management, clinical documentation, and health research.
# Greater global accessibility to Ayush interventions.
Welcoming the agreement, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated on X:
“Pleased to sign an agreement for a $3 million contribution from #India to @WHO’s work on traditional medicine and the International Classification of Health Interventions, with @moAyush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha. We welcome 🇮🇳’s continued commitment to #HealthForAll.”
Pleased to sign an agreement for a $3 million contribution from #India to @WHO’s work on traditional medicine and the International Classification of Health Interventions, with @moayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
We welcome 🇮🇳’s continued commitment to #HealthForAll. #WHA78 https://t.co/Iay86eRDaz pic.twitter.com/JS0DDyZVIq
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) May 24, 2025
The development aligns with India’s vision of bringing its rich heritage of traditional wisdom into the global healthcare mainstream, backed by scientific classification and international standards.
