WHO Launches ICD-11, Traditional Medicine Module 2

Context: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recently introduced the Traditional Medicine Module 2 of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11.

More Information:

The Ministry of AYUSH in conjunction with the WHO has developed a disease classification for use under Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani practices imported in TM 2 module of the ICD-11 series.

ICD:

• The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a standardised system designed by the World Health Organization, intended to allow healthcare professionals globally share information with each other and communicate using one language across standards.

ICD-11:

• The eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) is now completely digital and includes around 17000 new unique codes and over 120000 codable terms.
• It also incorporates the terminology and data of prevalent diseases in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Medicine internationally through the TM 2 module.
• The coding system now encompasses various diseases such as Malaria, insomnia, and Vertigo Guidance Disorder.

Importance of ICD-11: 

• This initiative aims to enhance the healthcare delivery system in India It focuses on enhancing traditional medicine insurance coverage AYUSH, research and development policies for health-related issues.
• It also intends to link traditional medicine with global standards and become recognized all over the world.
• This initiative strategy was done from year 2014 to the end of 2023 and draft for Traditional Medicine Strategy for WHO has been prepared between years
• This plan will contribute to global standardisation of ASU medication by creating a universal terminology for disease definition.
• The ICD-11’s indexing of disease terminology associated with traditional medicine is a significant milestone in bridging the gap and creating a unified global tradition.
• Many member countries are interested in adopting a similar approach to include traditional medicine disease terminology within the ICD.

Traditional Medicines:

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), traditional medicine encompasses the knowledge, techniques, and customs derived from various cultures, which have been utilised for generations to promote well-being, prevent and diagnose ailments, and provide treatment for both physical and mental illnesses.

Conclusion:

• The Traditional Medicine Chapter in the ICD-11 is an important step in including Traditional Medicine conditions in a standard classification used in conventional medicine.
• The WHO may develop more modules for classifying other forms of Traditional Medicine in the future, as long as certain requirements are met.
• Module 2 specifically focuses on Ayurveda and other related diagnostic systems in Traditional Medicine.

News Source: PIB

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