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The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a groundbreaking step in recognising traditional medicine globally with its 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This update introduces a dedicated module for traditional medicine conditions, officially incorporating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani into the global health framework.
The inclusion of traditional healthcare systems in ICD-11 follows extensive testing after the launch of ICD-11 TM-2 on 10 January 2024 in New Delhi. The module was finalised during WHO deliberations at the National Institute of Health in Malaysia in November 2024. It is now available on the ICD-11 Blue Browser, marking a historic moment for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.
This move enables systematic tracking of these traditional practices alongside conventional medicine, significantly boosting their credibility in healthcare reporting, research, and policymaking worldwide.
With this update, Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani are now recognised under WHO’s internationally accepted classification system. This allows dual coding, facilitating better data collection and advancing evidence-based policymaking.
Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, Rajesh Kotecha, highlighted the significance of this update, stating that it fosters holistic and inclusive healthcare by promoting the integration of traditional medicine into national health strategies. The update enhances patient care and paves the way for evidence-based integrative healthcare policies.
WHO’s Team Leader for Classifications and Terminologies, Robert Jakob, emphasised that the new updates improve ease of use, interoperability, and accuracy, benefiting national health systems globally.
Traditional medicine has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Asia, Africa, and other regions where indigenous practices complement modern medical approaches. With WHO’s recognition, these systems gain a structured platform for research, policy formulation, and patient care.
The ‘Traditional Medicine Conditions’ module ensures:
- Enhanced data collection – Enabling global tracking of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani usage.
- Evidence-based policy decisions – Strengthening the integration of traditional medicine into healthcare frameworks.
- Improved patient care – Allowing practitioners to incorporate traditional medicine into holistic treatment plans.
- Greater global comparability – Creating a standardised framework for assessing traditional medicine’s efficacy.
Strengthening Traditional Medicine’s Role in Healthcare
The traditional medicine module in ICD-11 focuses on morbidity data, helping governments and health institutions assess the prevalence and effectiveness of these interventions. This structured approach ensures that policymakers can make informed decisions about integrating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani into mainstream healthcare.
As traditional medicine continues to gain global acceptance, this WHO initiative cements its place in modern public health strategies. The inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in ICD-11 marks a new era of credibility, research, and accessibility, ensuring their continued relevance in contemporary healthcare systems worldwide.
