Last Updated on May 24, 2023 by Neelam Singh
If appropriately integrated, traditional systems of medicine can play a major role in making holistic health an integral part of the global healthcare system. Systems of medicine like Ayurveda are based on a nature-centric, person-centric approach that emphasises preventive health care.
There are still treatment gaps and unmet needs in global health care even after so much exposure in the medical science industry. Against this backdrop, traditional medicines have expanded globally and gained popularity in the last few decades. Specifically, these practices have continued to be used for primary healthcare of the poor in developing countries. The prevalence of traditional medicine use in low-income countries is between 40% and 71%. They have also been used in other countries where conventional medicines are predominant in the national healthcare system. For this reason, it is vital to ensure the evidence-based integration of traditional medicine into the global healthcare system.
Curative approach
The extra emphasis on curative medicine has also neglected the approach to nurture positive states of health and wellness, which is emphasised in traditional systems of medicine. At present, there is a need to establish healthy lifestyles, diet habits, and home remedies to prevent diseases, which have been part and parcel of traditional healthcare approaches. Non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases account for around 75% of global morbidity and mortality. Such chronic conditions require palliative care and an approach to improve quality of life. Treatment approaches that integrate traditional medical practices selectively can help us to address the burden of NCDs more effectively.
India and medical pluralism
India brings a unique vision for holistic health to the world. India is one of the rare countries where medical pluralism prevails, and diverse healthcare system systems have legal sanctions. AYUSH systems include Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and Yoga. Effective integration of AYUSH into the health care delivery system can help to bring a holistic perspective to Mental Health, Mother and Child Health, Elderly Care, and so on. The rich experiences of AYUSH systems in India offer micro-success stories that can be developed into strategies for global implementation.
Did you know? Around 170 member states of WHO out of 194 have reported using traditional medicine. Thus, a large segment of the population still rely on traditional medicine or so-called alternative medicine as the preferred form of health care.
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