Traditional medicine: Why does half the world's population rely on it? The World Health Organization answers
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed striking figures concerning the state of healthcare worldwide, confirming that traditional medicine is no longer a marginal practice but has become a fundamental pillar of the health system for the majority of the world's population. In recent statements, Chiama Kuruvella, Director of the WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, explained that between 40% and 90% of the population in member states rely heavily on traditional medicine in their daily lives.
Between necessity and choice: Why are we returning to nature?
During the press conference preceding the upcoming global summit, Korovella pointed to a significant paradox governing this global trend. On the one hand, traditional medicine is considered a "lifeline" and the only option available to nearly half the world's population who lack access to modern and basic healthcare. On the other hand, a large segment of the population voluntarily chooses this type of treatment and prefers it to modern medicine.
This preference is due to the “holistic” nature of traditional medicine; it does not merely treat the symptoms of the disease, but seeks to achieve a balance between the biological, psychological, and cultural aspects of the patient, making it a personal choice that supports public health in its broad sense, especially in light of the increasing chronic diseases and psychological pressures suffered by modern man.
Historical roots and integration with modern science
Traditional medicine is not a recent invention; rather, it is the product of accumulated knowledge spanning thousands of years, encompassing ancient practices such as Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda, and Arabic and Greek medicine. These practices predate modern medicine and formed the foundation upon which many current pharmaceutical treatments are built. Today, international organizations seek not to replace traditional medicine with modern medicine, but to integrate them into a complementary approach that ensures patient safety and treatment effectiveness.
The funding gap and the World Digital Library
Despite its widespread use and increasing demand, the organization revealed a significant funding gap, with traditional medicine receiving less than 1% of total global health research funding. To address this challenge and enhance scientific credibility, the World Health Organization announced the launch of a “Global Library of Traditional Medicine.”.
This library is the first digital platform of its kind, containing over 1.6 million verified scientific records. This initiative, along with the Traditional Medicine Data Network and the Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity Framework, aims to provide an accurate scientific reference that protects legitimate practices and rejects quackery, thus facilitating the safe integration of these treatments into national health systems.
Global summit in India
These statements come ahead of the second World Health Organization Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled to be held in India from December 17 to 19. The summit is expected to discuss ways to regulate these practices, promote scientific research, and ensure that humanity benefits from nature's resources and ancestral knowledge in accordance with global health standards.
