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The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations' specialized agency responsible for global health matters. As an inter-governmental organization, WHO collaborates with its Member States primarily through their respective Ministries of Health. Its core functions include providing leadership on global health issues, setting health-related norms and standards, shaping the research agenda, offering technical support to countries, developing evidence-based policy recommendations and monitoring health trends worldwide.
India’s Membership and Early Engagement
India became a signatory to the WHO Constitution on 12 January 1948, marking its commitment to advancing global health. India’s engagement with WHO began early with the first session of the WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia held on 4-5 October 1948 at the office of the Indian Minister of Health. This significant event was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister of India and addressed by WHO Director-General Dr. Brock Chisholm. India remains an active Member State within the WHO South-East Asia Region.
WHO Country Office in India
The WHO Country Office for India operates from its headquarters in New Delhi with a network extending across the country. Its strategic areas of work are guided by the Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2019-2023. This framework outlines priority areas where WHO collaborates with the Indian government to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance disease prevention and control and improve health service delivery.
India’s long-standing partnership with WHO underscores its commitment to global health initiatives. By actively participating in WHO programs and implementing strategic health policies, India continues to play a vital role in shaping health outcomes both regionally and globally.
A Step Forward in Traditional Medicine
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that starting next year, January 10th will be observed annually as "Ayush Medical Coding and Records Day." This decision was formalized at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress held in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand, India. The initiative highlights India’s growing global influence in the field of traditional medicine.
Understanding Ayush: India’s Traditional Health Framework
The term "Ayush" represents an acronym for the Indian Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. This ministry promotes wellness through time-tested traditional practices such as yoga and natural therapies along with ancient medicinal systems like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. These disciplines collectively form a holistic approach to healthcare that has been practiced in India for centuries.
Key Implementing Agencies
The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body functioning under the Ministry of Ayush has been designated to oversee the observance of this annual day. According to an official press release from the Indian government’s Press Information Bureau, the Hyderabad-based National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), WHO's primary collaborating centre in India for traditional medicine research, will play a crucial role in this initiative.
The National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH) in Hyderabad, a WHO collaboration centre, is joining forces with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to create a strategic plan for capacity building and the global classification of traditional health interventions. This collaboration underscores the synergy between India and WHO in promoting evidence-based traditional medicine by aiming to enhance standardization and foster international alignment of ancient medical practices.
Strategic Goals and Collaboration
The CCRAS in collaboration with the NIIMH, will work towards developing a roadmap for capacity building and implementing international standards for health interventions in traditional medicine. This effort aims to create globally accepted protocols for traditional health practices by ensuring better integration with modern healthcare systems.
A Commitment to Global Health Standards
The initiative reflects a shared commitment among WHO Collaboration Centres, the Ministry of Ayush, CCRAS, and NIIMH to elevate the global standards of traditional medicine. Their collective focus remains on promoting evidence-based practices by enhancing the credibility of ancient medical systems, and fostering international partnerships.
The establishment of Ayush Medical Coding and Records Day underscores India's leadership in the field of traditional medicine. It represents a significant step towards global acceptance and standardization of age-old health practices, strengthening ties between India and the WHO in the pursuit of holistic healthcare solutions.
The World Health Organization (WHO) India Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) 2019–2023 has been developed through a joint effort by India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and the WHO Country Office for India. This partnership provides a well-defined roadmap for WHO’s engagement with the Indian government to achieve national health objectives, improve public health outcomes, and drive transformative progress in the healthcare sector.
Strategic Alignment with Global Health Goals
The India CCS stands out as one of the first strategies fully aligned with the WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work, emphasizing the 'triple billion' targets. These targets focus on ensuring one billion more people benefit from universal health coverage, one billion more are protected from health emergencies and one billion more enjoy better health and well-being. The strategy also incorporates the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the WHO South-East Asia Region’s eight Flagship Priorities. Additionally, the CCS reflects the United Nations Sustainable Development Framework for 2018–2022, emphasizing an interconnected approach to health development.
Guiding National Health Initiatives
The CCS details how WHO can support India’s health agenda by collaborating with MoHFW and related ministries. It draws from key national policies such as India’s National Health Policy 2017 and transformative programs like Ayushman Bharat, the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme and digital health initiatives. These efforts aim to strengthen India’s healthcare system by addressing critical health priorities while ensuring equitable access to services.
Tackling Complex Health Challenges
India’s evolving health landscape presents complex challenges that require comprehensive strategies. The CCS expands WHO’s focus to address pressing issues such as the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), air pollution reduction, and mental health treatment. WHO’s collaborative approach involves working with various government sectors and stakeholders beyond health that is guided by MoHFW. Partnerships with other UN agencies and international organizations further strengthen this multi-sectoral approach.
A Transformative Period Ahead
The CCS period from 2019 to 2023 is expected to bring rapid advancements in India’s health sector. It aims to improve healthcare accessibility, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. By fostering national and international partnerships, leveraging innovative programs and addressing critical health challenges, the strategy foresees a healthier and more equitable future for India’s population.
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