The UN Global Centre for Traditional and Integrative Medicines is coming to Jamnagar, as the chosen venue by India as our country won an international race among Asian nations to host one. This is one of its kind, identified India by the WHO – another feather in India’s and also PM Modi’s cap!
Numerous regions in the world boast of rich and successful long traditions in medicine. China is huge, so is India with its Ayurveda and Unani schools. Many smaller nations have their own. Thailand and Bhutan have rich traditions in our region. African nations have their own. This centre will bring these all together under one roof! The centre has started already with a small staff, as facilities get built. On the cards, there are housing facilities, a convention centre, an eco-village under a rural setting, more office and medical quarters. Connectivity will have to improve, on which work is being taken up.
Jamnagar was the PM’s personal choice, lesser known perhaps, but important for its old Indo-Harappan civilisation and being the city where the first College of Ayurveda came up in the country. It is pristine, known more for its Reliance Oil Refinery and more recently as the venue for the Ambani Junior wedding.
Leading the initiative is Poonam Singh Khetrapal, who was till recently the regional head for WHO, looking after a region as large as 11 countries. The director General of WHO Dr Tedros chose her for the new role as his senior advisor. This new role envisages providing advice to the Director-General on trends and developments related to traditional, complementary and integrative medicine and to propose strategies and approaches to address these developments in the context of the new WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine. Poonam will also provide expert advice to the core team of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar Gujarat with scoping the Centre, managing the political environment, and setting up conducive strategic partnerships.
With Jamnagar as the hub, the plan is to have spokes within India and elsewhere. This way, traditional medicines from across the globe will come to your doorstep, instead of everyone having to go to Jamnagar. These will come within the reach of the common man. This has become even more important in an age when modern medicines are giving way to more and traditional, home-grown formulations, with the world moving towards holistic remedies.
Going Forward: the 2nd Summit on traditional medicine
The upcoming 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, scheduled for 18-20 November 2025, aims to advance the science and practice of health and well-being under the theme “Restoring Balance for People and Planet.” Coordinated by the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in partnership with the Government of India, the Summit will convene around 1,000 in-person and 6,000 online participants (around 7,000 overall), establishing itself as the leading, global scientific and multistakeholder knowledge exchange forum for Traditional Medicine.
Vision: Restoring well-being and balance for our lives and the world through insights from traditional medicine and science.
Goal: The first 2023 WHO Summit set a global agenda and raised the global visibility and political attention to the traditional medicine around the world, concurrent with the G20 Summit in India under India’s presidency. The 2025 Summit will deepen and broaden knowledge of traditional practices linked to scientific advances to enhance health and well-being and restore balance. The contribution of traditional medicine to the improvement of national health systems will also be highlighted. Together, Summit participants will advance the development of an inclusive global movement to uphold the rights of all people to access comprehensive resources for health and well-being, aligning with the vision of the WHO Global Strategy for Traditional Medicine, 2025-2034, to be launched at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025.
Rationale: The well-being of people and our planet is ever more important at a time of rising public health threats, including non-communicable disease, anti-microbial resistance, and climate change. Traditional medicine practitioners and facilities have the potential to transform primary health care towards realizing universal health coverage and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Evidence-based standards and regulation, equitable sharing of benefits, attribution and decolonization, biodiversity and sustainability must be accelerated to achieve these goals. The WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held every two years, promotes partnership and accountability for action toward these goals, informed by robust science and community knowledge.
Jamnagar, meanwhile, it being proposed as a Model City for Health, Prosperity and Sustainability. According to initial drafts and discussions for the development of the city, it has the potential to transform into a model city that promotes health, economic growth, and sustainability. Building on its rich cultural heritage, including the legacy of sophisticated urban planning from the Indus Valley Civilization, and its strategic location in Gujarat, the city also draws inspiration from Gandhian principles of self-reliance, community welfare, and environmental stewardship. As a global hub for Ayurveda and home to the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre, Jamnagar integrates traditional health practices with modern science and innovation. By fostering entrepreneurship in clean energy and digital technologies, and nurturing its rich biodiversity, the city aims to set a precedent as a model for sustainable development across five key pillars:
- Health and Wellness Hub. Jamnagar is recognized globally as a center for Ayurveda, with institutions like the Institute for Training and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) that now hosts the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC). Connecting diverse resources from ancient Ayurvedic principles in the Charaka Samhita to WHO’s evidence-based guidance on Essential Public Health Functions and One Health, and modern cutting-edge research, Jamnagar promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being for humans, animals, plants and the environment they share.
- Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Resilience: Jamnagar as part of Gujarat State’s urban planning has ancient roots in the Indus Valley Civilization and its sophisticated infrastructure, including the first water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems in the world. The city is now developing sustainable infrastructure that includes green spaces, efficient transport, and advanced water management, including rainwater catchments.
Importantly, Jamnagar is situated in a region prone to natural disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes. Therefore, resilient urban design is a priority, involving the construction of buildings that can withstand seismic activity, flood-resistant systems, and early warning mechanisms. These efforts ensure the safety of residents while supporting sustainable urban growth.
- Economic Diversification and Public Private Partnerships. The city’s economy, anchored by major multinational industries like oil refining and petrochemicals, is poised for diversification into clean energy, agribusiness, and tourism. Leading corporations such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy, headquartered in Jamnagar, are investing in green technology and clean energy, showcasing innovations in sustainable development.
Jamnagar’s socioeconomic ecosystem, also includes local crafts like bandhani textiles and metalwork, adding to its identity as a vibrant trade centre. Promoting these crafts through skill development programs and marketing can boost the local economy. The city’s emphasis on traditional health practices, combined with eco-friendly resorts and heritage walks aligns with opportunities in wellness tourism and attracting visitors seeking holistic healing. By fostering entrepreneurship and innovation supported by initiatives like “Make in India” and “Startup India,” the city is creating a vibrant, inclusive economy.
- Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Health. Jamnagar is home to unique ecological sites like the Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary and the Marine National Park, the country’s first marine sanctuary. These areas are vital for preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. These conservation efforts are part of the One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnected health of humans, animals, and ecosystems. Partnerships with private initiatives like Vantara, which focuses on wildlife protection and cutting-edge veterinary health services contribute to the city’s One Health approach and can strengthen Jamnagar’s position as a hub for environmental stewardship and health innovation. Jamnagar focuses on initiatives that protect wildlife, enhance veterinary health, and promote responsible animal welfare. Supported by national programs like the National Afforestation Programme, these initiatives contribute to combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.
Indeed, Jamnagar is setting a benchmark for sustainable urban growth. Perhaps, the time to invest in Jamnagar’s vision is now, laying the foundation for a city that serves as an exemplar of health, resilience, and sustainability.
ABOUT
Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh till recently the regional director of WHO- South East Asia, is now the DG’s choice for this new position. A former IAS officer of Punjab cadre, she quit the service full time to join the global health organisation.
