PM Modi to launch the first digital ‘Global Traditional Medicine Library’ at WHO summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is about to launch the first digital “global traditional medicine library" next month at the WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, Dr Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, told News18 in an exclusive interview.

PM Modi to launch first digital “global traditional medicine library"

“India will host the second WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit from December 17-19. We have already received confirmations from more than a dozen health ministers and delegations from over 100 countries. Health ministers from over 20 countries will be attending the event…This is going to be the world’s largest event in traditional medicine," Kotecha told News18, adding that the idea for the digital library was inspired by PM Modi’s speech at the BRICS Summit in July, where he spoke about setting up a global repository.

“India has launched the ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ initiative to ensure nationwide access to academic journals. Similar efforts have been undertaken in other BRICS countries as well. I propose that we collectively explore the creation of a BRICS Science and Research Repository, which could also serve as a valuable resource for the countries of the Global South," PM Modi shared at the BRICS session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Matters, and Artificial Intelligence."

“The global library includes 2.5 million publications from across countries, bringing together the entire wealth of information on traditional medicine in one place. This library will be India’s digital asset but will remain freely accessible to all. This repository is one of the biggest outcomes of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat."

In 2022, PM Modi inaugurated the first-of-its-kind centre, along with WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus. 

“India and Brazil have played key roles in developing the project, with several other countries also contributing."

The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy) is working closely with the WHO and the Ministry of External Affairs, so that the summit delivers both scientific and diplomatic outcomes.

“India will showcase innovations from research councils, digital health platforms and global collaborations. Logistical planning and security protocols are being executed at the highest level to host a world-class global health event," the officer added.

As per the report, the summit will also feature the launch of an AI-powered bot for classical literature, which is still in beta and currently being trained, so that it can decode ancient texts and explain traditional medicine in a simple language to common people.

The ministry is also preparing to launch a digital global botanical database, geospatial biodiversity tools, digital pharmacopoeias, digital quality-control systems and research data platforms.

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