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This is an archive article published on August 19, 2023

WHO regional head calls for integrating traditional medicines, formal systems

The concept is along the lines of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (the world is one family), which is the theme of India's G20 presidency.

India formal health system, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, South East Asia Region, effective traditional medicine, worl health organization, WHO news, SEARO news, indian express newsSingh was addressing a panel discussion on promoting value-based healthcare as part of the theme of healthcare beyond borders, with G20 member countries, nations that have been invited, and guest countries on the sidelines of the G20 Health Ministers' meeting in Gandhinagar on Friday. (Image source: Wikipedia)
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Highlighting four opportunity areas to move towards the concept of ‘one earth, one health’, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director of WHO’s South East Asia Region (SEARO), on Friday called for “accelerating action to better integrate safe, evidence-based, and effective traditional medicine and practices into formal health systems”.

The concept is along the lines of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), which is the theme of India’s G20 presidency.

Singh was addressing a panel discussion on promoting value-based healthcare as part of the theme of healthcare beyond borders, with G20 member countries, nations that have been invited, and guest countries on the sidelines of the G20 Health Ministers’ meeting in Gandhinagar on Friday.

Among other scope of opportunities, Singh advocated for strengthening collaboration and reducing fragmentation in national, regional, and global efforts to “reorient health systems towards quality, accessible, affordable, and comprehensive primary healthcare.”

Singh also appealed for intensifying stakeholder support for the development and adoption of “appropriate, accessible, affordable, sustainable digital health solutions globally”, while suggesting that the recently launched global initiative for digital health be leveraged.

Calling for “smarter investments in health system infrastructure”, Singh suggested the national capacity of healthcare workers be supported and improved to navigate cross-border trade and its impact on health “especially for ethical and sustainable management of global workforce migration as well as cross-border consumption.”

Sohini Ghosh is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express. Previously based in Ahmedabad covering Gujarat, she recently moved to the New Delhi bureau, where she primarily covers legal developments at the Delhi High Court Professional Profile Background: An alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), she previously worked with ET NOW before joining The Indian Express. Core Beats: Her reporting is currently centered on the Delhi High Court, with a focus on high-profile constitutional disputes, disputes over intellectual property, criminal and civil cases, issues of human rights and regulatory law (especially in the areas of technology and healthcare). Earlier Specialty: In Gujarat, she was known for her rigorous coverage in the beats of crime, law and policy, and social justice issues, including the 2002 riot cases, 2008 serial bomb blast case, 2016 flogging of Dalits in Una, among others. She has extensively covered health in the state, including being part of the team that revealed the segregation of wards at the state’s largest government hospital on lines of faith in April 2020. With Ahmedabad being a UNESCO heritage city, she has widely covered urban development and heritage issues, including the redevelopment of the Sabarmati Ashram Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting from the Delhi High Court covers major political, constitutional, corporate, and public-interest legal battles: High-Profile Case Coverage She has extensively covered the various legal battles - including for compensation under the aegis of North East Delhi Riots Claims Commission - pertaining to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, as well as 1984 anti-Sikh riots. She has also led coverage at the intersection of technology and governance, and its impact on the citizenry, from, and beyond courtrooms — such as the government’s stakeholder consultations for framing AI-Deepfake policy. Signature Style Sohini is recognized for her sustained reporting from courtrooms and beyond. She specialises in breaking down dense legal arguments to make legalese accessible for readers. Her transition from Gujarat to Delhi has seen her expand her coverage on regulatory, corporate and intellectual property law, while maintaining a strong commitment to human rights and lacuna in the criminal justice system. X (Twitter): @thanda_ghosh ... Read More

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