"I am pleased to announce that we have agreed to open a WHO global center on traditional medicine in India to strengthen the evidence, research, training and awareness of traditional and complementary medicine," Ghebreyesus said.

 

"This new center will support WHO's efforts to implement the WHO traditional medicine strategy 2014-2023, which aims to support countries in developing policies and action plans to strengthen the role of traditional medicine as part of their journey to universal health coverage and a healthier, fairer and safer world," said the WHO chief.

 

Ghebreyesus's message came during an event in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated India's first two Ayurveda institutions, which are located in the cities of Jaipur and Jamnagar. Modi thanked the WHO for setting up a global center on traditional medicine in India.

 

In 2014, the Indian government created a separate ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) to promote the indigenous medical management system in the country. Since 2016, India observed the Ayurveda Day every year.