India inks Project Collaboration Agreement with WHO to promote traditional medicine

India has signed a historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) with World Health Organization (WHO) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine. The PCA aims at supporting WHO in the development and implementation of the ‘WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy. 

Key facts of PCA 

• PCA for the period 2016-2020 will contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine. 
• It will deliver for the first time WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma.
• These will contribute significantly to the strengthening of national capacities in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine including in establishing regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine.

The PCA with WHO will help India to promote traditional medicine both in India and abroad. It will also spread importance of India’s long history and rich heritage of traditional medicine and its growing relevance in providing holistic and comprehensive health care.