In a significant development for global healthcare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially included traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in its updated International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) framework. This groundbreaking step, announced in February 2025, marks a major recognition of the therapeutic potential of traditional practices alongside modern medicine.
The updated ICD-11 module now categorizes diseases and health conditions based on traditional medicine practices, offering healthcare providers a more inclusive and comprehensive system for diagnosing and treating patients. This move comes as part of WHO’s broader efforts to integrate diverse healing systems into global healthcare, allowing for better global tracking of health trends, disease conditions, and treatment outcomes.
Among the traditional systems recognized are Ayurveda from India, Siddha from South India, and Unani, which originated in ancient Greece but has been widely practiced in the Middle East and South Asia. These systems, with their deep-rooted histories and holistic approaches to health, have been used for centuries to treat a wide array of ailments.
What Does This Mean for Healthcare Providers?
The introduction of dual coding is one of the most notable features of this updated ICD-11 framework. Healthcare providers can now document both traditional and conventional medical diagnoses for a single patient, improving the accuracy of health records and promoting a more comprehensive view of treatment. This also paves the way for systematic data collection, enabling more robust research and evidence-based policy making on the effectiveness of traditional medicine.
As a result, traditional medicine is no longer seen as separate from the mainstream medical system but integrated into the overall healthcare structure. This inclusivity ensures that patients who seek traditional remedies will receive comprehensive care, allowing for a more holistic approach to health management.
Supporting Evidence-Based Practices
With this change, WHO aims to increase the visibility and credibility of traditional medicine. The newly introduced module will not only help track the use of these treatments but will also encourage further research into their safety and efficacy. By gathering more data from global healthcare systems, WHO hopes to provide stronger evidence for integrating traditional medicine practices into the broader health system, particularly in areas where conventional healthcare access is limited.
For countries where Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani play a central role in healthcare, this update will enhance the quality of care by ensuring these methods are better recognized and understood worldwide. It will also support the development of national policies that incorporate traditional medicine into public health strategies, thereby improving access to treatment.
The Path Ahead: Global Health Integration
This development is a significant milestone in the ongoing journey toward achieving universal health coverage, as traditional medicine offers an accessible and affordable alternative to modern treatments, particularly in developing countries. With the support of WHO’s framework, these ancient practices can now be validated and included in public health policy worldwide.
The inclusion of traditional medicine systems also reinforces WHO’s commitment to acknowledging diverse healthcare practices, respecting cultural differences, and promoting well-being in all regions of the world. It highlights the need for collaboration between conventional medicine and traditional healing practices to ensure the best outcomes for patients.
As WHO continues its efforts to integrate a wide range of medical practices globally, this inclusion marks a pivotal moment in how we view and approach health—embracing both modern and traditional knowledge to create a more inclusive and effective healthcare system for all.
Conclusion
The World Health Organization’s inclusion of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani in its ICD-11 framework is a historic step toward the global recognition of traditional medicine systems. This move not only validates their importance in the global health landscape but also sets the stage for a more inclusive, holistic, and data-driven approach to patient care. As the world shifts toward greater health integration, the future of both traditional and conventional medicine looks promising, with new opportunities for collaboration, research, and improved outcomes for all