The WHO launched traditional medicine morbidity codes of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani as module 2 in ICD 11. The inaugural event of ICD 11 TM Module 2, Morbidity Codes, WHO, was held on 10 January 2024 in New Delhi.

Data and terminology related to diseases based on Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems will now be included in WHO's ICD11 classification.

What will be the benefit of this?

This effort will bring global uniformity in ASU (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha) medicine in the form of a code of terminology defining diseases.

What is the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)?

WHO has developed a classification series called ICD to classify diseases internationally.
ICD provides widespread use globally. The ICD provides information on the worldwide extent, causes and consequences of human disease and death through coded data. Clinical terms coded with the ICD are the main basis for health recording and statistics on illness in primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as death certificates.
These data and statistics support payment systems, service planning, administration of quality and safety and health care research. Clinical guidance linked to ICD categories also standardises data collection and enables large-scale research.

How will it work?

Currently available global disease data is largely based on healthcare practices diagnosed through modern biomedicine.
Classification of disease-related data and terminology based on AYUSH systems like ASU is not yet included in the WHO ICD series.

Agreement between the Ministry of AYUSH and WHO:

The Ministry of AYUSH has already developed codes for AYUSH treatment through the National AYUSH Morbidity and Standardized Electronic Portal (NAMAST). The Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with WHO, has prepared a classification of data and terminology related to diseases based on AYUSH-ASU systems under the TM2 module of the ICD 11 series.
The Ministry of AYUSH also signed a donor agreement with WHO.

Will be helpful in formulating future health related strategies:

It will help formulate strategies related to the public health service delivery system of the government.
It will further strengthen and expand the public health service delivery system, AYUSH insurance coverage, and policy-making systems.
Moreover, these codes will also be used in formulating future strategies to control various diseases in society.

Diseases included in ICD:

This classification includes infectious diseases like malaria and lifestyle diseases like chronic insomnia.
Vertigo guidance disorder is generally recognised by three traditional systems: Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani.
As a nervous system disorder known as 'Bhramaha' Siddha in Ayurveda as 'Ajal Kirakrippu' and Unani as 'Sadra-O-Dwar'.

International coding of prevalent diseases:

Under ICD-11, such terminology will be coded. The names and data of prevalent diseases of ASU medicine will be notified in codes at the international level through the TM2 module.