Dr. Irfat Ara, Deputy Director, RRIUM Srinagar, expressed pride that India will be hosting this major international gathering and drew attention to its central theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.” She noted that the summit is expected to draw participation from over 100 countries, including ministers, policymakers, researchers, scientists, and industry leaders from across the world.
Dr. Ara reiterated the views of the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, highlighting India’s growing prominence on the global stage in the field of Traditional Medicine. She emphasised that AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy, have supported the health and well-being of communities for thousands of years and continue to gain international acceptance.
She also spoke about the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Government of India, describing it as a testament to the rising global trust in India’s rich and time-tested traditional knowledge systems. The Centre, she said, plays a pivotal role in promoting evidence-based integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare practices.
Dr. Ara highlighted the role of RRIUM Srinagar in strengthening outreach and awareness among the local population, noting the growing acceptance of traditional systems such as Unani, Ayurveda, and Sowa-Rigpa in the region. She informed that the institute is the only centre in the area offering postgraduate education in disciplines of Unani medicine (Moalajat) and Unani pharmacology (Ilmul-adviya), and provides OPD, IPD and lab services, contributing both to healthcare delivery and academic research.
The upcoming WHO Summit will serve as a global platform for exchange of knowledge, research, and best practices, reinforcing the need to strike a balanced approach between modern and traditional medicine systems, each of which has its own strengths in ensuring holistic health and well-being, she concluded.
