China and the World Health Organisation, (WHO) have deepened their strategic partnership, committing to advance global traditional medicine initiatives.
In a signing ceremony in Geneva, the Chinese government pledged US$ 5 million over five years to support the WHO’s Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) program, set to play a crucial role in the WHO’s Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034.
In a statement made public on the WHO’S website yesterday, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage, Dr. Bruce Aylward stated, “China’s leadership and commitment to advancing scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine, while enhancing its accessibility and quality, are commendable.”
Aylward emphasised that when properly integrated into national health systems, traditional medicine could contribute significantly to achieving universal health coverage.
The latest financial contribution strengthens a long-standing collaboration between China and WHO, building on agreements from 2013 and 2018.
The new partnership aims to enhance research, set safety and quality standards, and promote the integration of traditional medicine into health systems worldwide.
Prof. Yu Yanhong, Commissioner of China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM), remarked, “We will continue to intensify efforts to share our experiences and address global health challenges through traditional medicine.”
Ms. Li Weiwei, Minister Counselor at China’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, expressed China’s ongoing support for WHO’s global traditional medicine efforts, emphasizing the country’s commitment to fostering international collaboration.
The WHO’s TCIM unit is focusing on standardising practices, creating training programs, and gathering evidence to safely integrate traditional medicine into national health systems.
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