PM Modi held a telephonic conversation with the WHO chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a telephone conversation with World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanam Ghebreyses.

The Prime Minister commended the WHO for its key role in providing a global coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He recognized the need to not lose the fight against other diseases and appreciated the importance of WHO’s support for the health systems of developing countries.

The Director-General emphasized the close and systematic cooperation between the WHO and the Indian Health Authority and particularly appreciated the Indian domestic initiatives such as the AYUSHMAN India Scheme and India’s campaign against tuberculosis. He said India has an important role to play in global health issues.

The Prime Minister and the Director-General held productive discussions on the value of traditional medicinal medicine systems, especially for improving the health and immunity of the world population. They agreed on the need to integrate traditional medicine drug solutions into modern medical practice through traditional protocols and for careful scientific validation of time-tested traditional products herbal products and methods.

The Director-General stressed that the potential of traditional medicine has not been adequately appreciated so far and that the WHO is actively working to promote research, training and participation of best practices in this area.

The Prime Minister lauded these efforts and directed the Director General to celebrate Ayurveda Day in India on November 13 under the theme ‘Ayurveda for Kovid-19’.