Prime Minister Narendra Modi lay the foundation for the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar on Tuesday.
He lay the foundation stone in the presence of Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus (WHO). The Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) will be the world’s first and only global outpost centre for traditional medicine. It will become a global wellness destination on a global scale.
PM Modi is in Gujarat on a three-day visit. Earlier in the day, he dedicated to the country a new dairy complex and potato processing plant built at a cost of over Rs. 600 crores in Diyodar, Banaskantha district.
“Always a delight to meet @DrTedros and exchange notes on further strengthening the health sector. He always cherishes the influence of Indian teachers on his life. And today, he got a lot of praise for his Gujarati skills too!” PM Modi tweeted.
“India is proud of be home to the @WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. At a time when traditional medicine is picking popularity, this Centre will go a long way in merging the traditional with modern in the quest for a healthier planet,” he said in a subsequent tweet.
Separately, PM Modi also interacted with Mauritius Prime Minister in Jamnagar today. “Glad to have interacted with my friend, PM @KumarJugnauth of Mauritius. His coming to Jamnagar today is a remarkable gesture,” he said.
Speaking at the event today, PM Modi said, “Countries across the globe are putting emphasis on traditional herbal systems to fight COVID-19. Yoga has helped people find a mental balance and eliminate their stress all over the world.”
“The love Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus has for India and traditional medicine has been reproduced in the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine being established today. He sees this institution as his child and I assure him that we will take its best care,” PM Modi said.
“WHO has created a new partnership with India through this centre for traditional medicine. This is a compliment to our traditional medicines contribution and potential,” PM Modi said.
Vouching for the healthcare sector in India, Prime Minister Modi said, “Disease-free life is one of the objectives of our life but wellness is the ultimate goal. Today when India is celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, this centre will put traditional medicines on the map in the next 25 years.”
Prime Minister Modi said that WHO’s focus on ‘Our Planet, Our Health’ further propagates India’s mantra of ‘One Earth, One Health’
“India’s traditional medicine system is not just limited to treatment. It is a holistic science of life: Our traditional medicines not only includes healing and treatment, it also includes social health, mental health, happiness, environmental health,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted that Millets have been an important part of the Indian diet from time immemorial. “We are glad that the world has accepted 2023 as the International Year of Millets,” he said.
