GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 31st Jan. The launch of Module-2 of the International Classification of Diseases-11 (ICD-11) means that Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha (ASU) systems of medicine will now have the same morbidity codes worldwide.
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, highlighted this achievement in his “Mann Ki Baat” episode on Sunday, January 28, 2024. He stated that this development will alleviate the problems faced by patients seeking treatment in these traditional medicine systems.
The World Health Organization recently launched ICD-11, Chapter 26, Module 2 in Delhi. In his latest “Mann Ki Baat” episode, the Prime Minister referred to this launch and emphasized the significant achievement.
He acknowledged the difficulties faced by patients who receive ASU treatments, stating, “Many of you may seek help from Ayurveda, Siddha, or Unani medicine for treatment. However, these patients encounter problems when they visit another doctor within the same system. There is no common language used for the terminology of diseases, treatments, and medicines in these medical practices. Each doctor writes the name of the disease and methods of treatment in their own way, making it difficult for other doctors to understand.”
The launch of ICD-11 Module 2 has partially resolved this problem, as the Prime Minister pointed out. He said, “A solution to this problem that has persisted for decades has now been found.”
The Prime Minister also shared that the Ministry of Ayush, with the assistance of the World Health Organization, has categorized the data and terminology related to Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani medicine. Through their joint efforts, the terminology for diseases and treatments in these medical systems has been codified. This coding will ensure that all doctors use the same language on their prescriptions or slips.
One advantage of this coding is that if a patient visits another doctor with their prescription, the doctor will have complete information about their illness, treatment, medications, duration of treatment, and allergies. Additionally, this coding will benefit researchers in the field. The Prime Minister expressed hope that doctors associated with ASU will adopt this coding as soon as possible.
ICD-11, Module 2 will also facilitate research related to ASU, as mentioned by the Prime Minister in his “Mann Ki Baat” address.
Scientists from other countries will have access to comprehensive information about diseases, medications, and their effects. As research expands and more scientists collaborate, these medical systems will yield better results, increasing people’s inclination towards them. The Prime Minister expressed hope that doctors practicing ASU will embrace this coding system.
The International Classification of Diseases maintained by the World Health Organization is a crucial tool for member countries like India to collect primary and secondary data on various communicable (such as malaria and tuberculosis) and non-communicable (such as diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease) diseases, as well as mortality statistics.
The groundwork for the ICD-11 TM 2 initiative began during the Ayurveda Day celebration in 2017, when the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Terminologies Electronic (NAMASTE) Portal was launched by the Prime Minister. The launch of ICD-11 TM2 will also facilitate medical insurance coverage, the creation of insurance packages, and insurance portability among companies worldwide, boosting medical value travel for Ayush care in India.
Union Minister of Ayush and Shipping, Ports, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, stated that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, India has achieved global success with ICD-11 (TM) Module 2.
He emphasized that India’s traditional system of medicine is gaining recognition worldwide and that the Prime Minister’s address through “Mann Ki Baat” will boost energy and motivation. He urged the development of Ayush as a fundamental system of global health.
Secretary Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha announced that the Ministry of Ayush will develop future strategies for public healthcare based on ICD-11, Module 2. They will implement it nationally and internationally. The indexing of Traditional Medicine-related disease names in ICD-11 will be a milestone in establishing a uniform global tradition.
