India Highlights Advances in Traditional Medicine at INTRACOM 2024
New Delhi: A high-level delegation led by Shri Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, India, showcased the country’s contributions to the global advancement of Traditional Medicine at the 10th International Conference on Traditional and Complementary Medicine (INTRACOM 2024), held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Setial Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. The conference focused on the transformative role of digital technologies in modernizing healthcare practices in Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM).
Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the WHO-led meeting, Ayush Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha highlighted the finalization of the ICD-11 TM2 module as a milestone in the systematic global documentation of Traditional Medicine practices.
“The ICD-11 TM2 module will revolutionise traditional medicine by enabling standardised documentation of disorders, patterns, and services. This will help measure outcomes, cost-effectiveness, safety, and comparisons with mainstream medicine, driving innovation and enhancing healthcare worldwide,” Shri Kotecha stated.
He added, “India has already initiated national capacity-building efforts for implementing the TM2 module, including training workshops in collaboration with NCISM. We remain committed to supporting WHO in developing Traditional Medicine codes under the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) framework.”
The ICD-11 TM2 module includes 529 categories encompassing TM disorders and patterns, enabling data collection and analysis on an unprecedented scale. India played a pivotal role in its development, leveraging its rich traditional medicine systems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, which have well-established practices and regulations.
INTRACOM 2024 also explored the integration of digital health technologies in Traditional Medicine, aligning with India’s pioneering efforts in this domain. Secretary Kotecha emphasized India’s initiatives, including the development of a National Digital Health Ecosystem under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the Namaste Portal, which facilitates seamless integration of Traditional Medicine practices into mainstream healthcare.
“India’s initiatives in digital health, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the Namaste Portal, demonstrate our leadership in integrating Traditional Medicine into mainstream healthcare systems. These efforts align with global goals of innovation and health for all,” Shri Kotecha stated.
India’s active participation in INTRACOM 2024 underscores its global leadership in health and well-being. By leveraging digital technologies and fostering international collaboration, the Ministry of Ayush is ensuring that Traditional Medicine continues to contribute meaningfully to global healthcare challenges.
The conference also provided a platform for discussions on the transliteration, translation, and future maintenance of TM2 entities, as well as mapping these with national standards like the NAMASTE Portal. This convergence of efforts will pave the way for integrated global healthcare solutions.
As India continues to champion the digitisation of healthcare, the Ministry of Ayush remains committed to driving innovation in Traditional Medicine. “The successful migration of the TM2 module to the ICD-11 main browser will mark another step forward in integrating Traditional Medicine into the global healthcare framework. Together, we can ensure health for all,” concluded Shri Kotecha.
The 10th INTRACOM 2024 reinforced India’s vision of modernising Traditional Medicine through digital innovation, positioning it as a cornerstone for global health and well-being.