Indian Government donates $85 million to WHO’s GTMC Jamnagar

The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, has signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) of the United Nations to provide $85 million to the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, over a 10-year period (2022-2032). 

The interim  WHO GCTM is already functional in Jamnagar, and the money will be used to expand the centre and fund its research and development activities.

Who signed the agreement?

The agreement was signed at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, on 31st July 2024  by the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Arindam Bagchi, and Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course, Dr Bruce Aylward. 

WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM)

WHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, has set up WHO's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It is the only global centre for traditional medicine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the GCTM on 19 April 2022 in Jamnagar in the presence of WHO Director Tedross Ghebreyesus and Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The government of India proposes to invest $250 million in the GCTM project, including the recently signed $85 million.

The GCTM has been set up to harness the potential of traditional medicine worldwide through the use of modern science and technology and improve the overall health of communities worldwide. 

What is Traditional Medicine? 

Traditional medicine, also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine, refers to knowledge, skills, and practices based on theories, beliefs, and experiences specific to different cultures. These are used in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement, or treatment of physical and mental illness.

AYUSH Ministry- Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy

In order to revive the knowledge of traditional Indian systems of medicine, the government of India set up the Ministry of AYUSH on the 9^th of November 2014. 

The ministry promotes and encourages education and research in the fields of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. 

Minister of AYUSH: Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (Independent Charge)

World Health Organisation (WHO)

The World Health Organisation was set up on 7 April 1948 as a specialised agency of the United Nations.

Its foundation day, 7 April, is observed as World Health Day.

Headquarters of WHO: Geneva, Switzerland 

Director General of WHO:  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus