WHO’s 2025 ICD-11 Update Marks a Major Milestone for Traditional Medicine
In a landmark move for the global acceptance of traditional medicine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). This update introduces a specialized module for traditional medicine conditions, representing a major step in integrating Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani into the global healthcare framework.
Following a year of rigorous testing and discussions after the launch of ICD-11 TM-2 on January 10, 2024, in New Delhi, this update underwent further deliberations at the WHO meeting in Malaysia in November 2024. Now officially accessible via WHO’s ICD-11 Blue Browser, the module establishes traditional medicine within an internationally recognized health classification system, elevating its role in research, policy, and healthcare planning.
Strengthening Traditional Medicine’s Global Standing
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush, emphasized that the 2025 ICD-11 update significantly advances the global integration of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. By enabling dual coding and improving data collection, this enhancement supports evidence-based policymaking, enhances patient care, and promotes the inclusion of traditional medicine in national healthcare frameworks. This step is expected to facilitate a holistic approach to global healthcare.
Dr. Robert Jakob, WHO’s Team Leader for Classifications and Terminologies, highlighted that the updates in ICD-11 improve ease of use, interoperability, and accuracy, benefiting healthcare systems worldwide.
Traditional Medicine on the Global Healthcare Platform
Traditional medicine has long played a crucial role in healthcare, particularly in Asia and Africa, where indigenous practices complement modern treatments. The introduction of the ‘Traditional Medicine Conditions’ module aligns with WHO’s goals of universal health coverage and sustainable healthcare development.
This module enables healthcare providers to use dual coding for both traditional and modern diagnoses, allowing for comprehensive tracking and assessment of traditional medicine practices. By formally classifying these systems, WHO is facilitating a structured and data-driven approach to understanding their impact on healthcare.
Advancing Research and Evidence-Based Healthcare
The inclusion of traditional medicine in ICD-11 brings several key advantages:
- Enhanced data collection – Enabling systematic tracking of traditional medicine practices worldwide.
- Support for evidence-based policymaking – Helping governments integrate traditional medicine into national healthcare plans.
- Improved patient care – Allowing practitioners to incorporate traditional treatments into modern medical frameworks.
- Global comparability – Providing researchers with a standardized system to assess traditional medicine alongside contemporary medical treatments.
This initiative not only enhances the credibility of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani on the world stage but also paves the way for their deeper integration into public health strategies.
Strengthening Traditional Medicine’s Role in Healthcare
Designed to document morbidity rather than mortality, the traditional medicine module in ICD-11 will assist governments and healthcare organizations in evaluating the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of traditional treatments. This data-driven approach will aid policymakers in making informed decisions about the integration of traditional medicine into national healthcare systems.
As traditional medicine gains increasing recognition alongside modern treatments, WHO’s initiative reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and evidence-based healthcare. The 2025 ICD-11 update marks a transformative step in bridging traditional and modern medical systems, ensuring that Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani remain relevant and impactful in global healthcare for years to come.
