The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the inclusion of a dedicated module for traditional medicine conditions in the 2025 update of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The Ministry of AYUSH has announced this development in its press release dated February 19, 2025.
This groundbreaking move officially recognizes Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems of medicine within the globally recognized health framework.
The update was finalized at the WHO meeting in Malaysia in November 2024. The update culminates from successful year-long testing and deliberations following the 2024 launch of the ICD-11 TM-2 module in New Delhi. The ICD-11 TM-2 module is now available on the WHO’s ICD-11 Blue Browser.
Global Integration of Traditional Medicine
This inclusion marks a monumental step towards the systematic tracking and global integration of traditional medicine. Consequently, this ensures that these ancient healthcare systems are officially documented and categorized alongside conventional medical conditions.
The Secretary of India’s Ministry of AYUSH, hailed the update as a “significant step toward global integration of traditional medicine,” emphasizing its role in fostering evidence-based policymaking and enhancing patient care.
Additionally, Dr. Robert Jakob, Team Leader, Classifications and Terminologies Unit, WHO, stated that the new updates offer “more ease of use, improved interoperability and accuracy,” benefiting national health systems worldwide.
Key Benefits of the New Module
- Dual Coding
Healthcare providers can now use dual coding for both traditional and conventional medicine diagnoses, enabling comprehensive data collection.
- Enhanced Data Collection
The module also allows for global tracking of traditional medicine usage, ensuring comprehensive reporting of its application.
- Evidence-Based Policymaking
Standardized terminology and definitions facilitate the integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare strategies.
- Improved Patient Care
Healthcare providers can now also incorporate traditional medicine practices into clinical decision-making for more holistic treatment plans.
- Global Comparability
Furthermore, researchers can analyze the efficacy of traditional medicine alongside modern medical treatments.
Empowering Global Research and Evidence-Based Policy
The inclusion of traditional medicine in ICD-11 provides a structured way for researchers, policymakers, and healthcare providers to systematically track and assess the impact of these practices. By providing standardized terminology and definitions, the module will enhance data collection, facilitate evidence-based policymaking, and improve patient care.
A Step Forward for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani
These centuries-old systems, deeply rooted in Indian culture, are now positioned alongside modern medicine in global health dialogues. Hence, this recognition underscores their relevance to universal health coverage and broader health equity efforts.
Strengthening Traditional Medicine’s Role in Healthcare
The traditional medicine module in ICD-11, designed to capture morbidity data, will help governments and healthcare institutions assess the frequency, quality, and cost-effectiveness of traditional medicine interventions.
This historic update represents a turning point in how the world views and integrates traditional healthcare systems, ensuring their continued relevance in modern healthcare systems worldwide.
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