Launch of the Global Traditional Medicine Library: 1.6 million records from global health
In a strategic move to bridge the gap between ancient knowledge and modern science, the World Health Organization a comprehensive global library of traditional medicine, the largest of its kind, containing more than 1.6 million documented scientific records. This initiative is supported by a sophisticated data network and a framework designed to preserve indigenous knowledge, promote biodiversity, and support health systems worldwide.
Details of the new digital library
The new library provides a central platform for researchers and decision-makers to access a wealth of information on traditional healing practices. During a press conference announcing this achievement, Chiama Kuruvella, Director of the WHO's World Centre for Traditional Medicine, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, "In most WHO member states, between 40 and 90 percent of the population uses traditional medicine.".
Korovella pointed out that this therapeutic approach is no longer just a secondary option, but has become a “global reality,” especially given the facts indicating that half of the world’s population lacks access to modern basic health services, making traditional medicine the first and most reliable refuge for millions of people.
The World Center for Traditional Medicine: Context and Objectives
To understand the significance of this step, we must look back at the recent historical context. Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in 2022, headquartered in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India. This center, established with the support of the Indian government, serves as a global knowledge hub, aiming to harness the potential of traditional medicine through modern science and technology.
Through this center and the new library, the organization seeks to establish standards and rules for regulating the use of traditional medicine, ensuring the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic practices, and integrating them safely into national health systems, rather than leaving them to unregulated practices.
Challenges of funding and scientific research
Despite the widespread nature of these practices, Korovella highlighted a significant funding gap, explaining that “traditional medicine is a preferred option because it is personalized, holistic, and compatible with biological and cultural aspects.” She called for increased investment in this field, which currently receives less than 1% of total global health research funding. This meager percentage is disproportionate to the extent of human reliance on these treatments, making the launch of the library a vital step in providing the data necessary to attract research investment.
Strategic importance and expected impact
The importance of this library lies in its ability to provide evidence-based medicine. Many modern drugs, such as aspirin and artemisinin (a treatment for malaria), have their roots in traditional medicine and herbs. By documenting 1.6 million records, the organization is opening the door to new drug discoveries and helping to protect the intellectual property of indigenous knowledge, thereby enhancing global health security and effectively integrating the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future.
