GENEVA — China joined Malaysia, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, and Seychelles on Tuesday to host a side event on traditional medicine during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva. This marks the first time member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have held such an event on traditional medicine during the assembly.
More than 100 participants attended, including senior health officials, WHO representatives, and global experts. The event focused on how traditional medicine can be better integrated into national health systems to help achieve universal health coverage and meet sustainable development goals.
Yu Yanhong, commissioner of China’s National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said in her keynote speech that combining traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with modern Western medicine is a key strength of China’s healthcare system.
Yu explained that China passed a law in 2016 to promote TCM while ensuring its development remains regulated. She added that TCM is also adopting modern medical technologies to improve its practices and has developed its own systems for managing services and training professionals.
Today, TCM hospitals are present in nearly every province, city, and county in China. More than 90 percent of general hospitals also have TCM departments. These institutions handle around 1.69 billion outpatient visits every year, according to Yu.
Looking ahead, she encouraged other countries to build traditional medicine systems that suit their needs. She also called for greater international cooperation to support the WHO’s global traditional medicine strategy.
The WHO recognizes the wide range of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) practices around the world and their value in improving health and achieving universal health coverage.
A new version of the WHO’s traditional medicine strategy for 2025 to 2034 is expected to be reviewed during this year’s WHA.
At the event, Rudi Eggers, director of integrated health services at WHO, shared the main goals of the updated strategy. These include improving research and evidence for TCIM, ensuring safe and effective use through proper regulation, integrating TCIM into health systems, and encouraging community participation.
China also co-hosted a separate side event on mental health on Tuesday, along with France, the Netherlands, Qatar, Switzerland, and Chile. The session brought together over 140 participants, including high-level government officials, WHO and UNICEF representatives, and experts from the World Economic Forum.
Jiao Yahui, director of the Bureau of Medical Administration under China’s National Health Commission, said that the country is shifting its approach to mental health—from treating diseases to focusing on prevention and promoting well-being. She added that China is working to ensure everyone can access mental health services.
Jerome Salomon, assistant director-general of the WHO, acknowledged that mental health services around the world remain underfunded and unequal. Still, he noted progress in reducing stigma and improving policies and services.
He stressed the need for continued global support and said the upcoming UN high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases and mental health in September will be an important step for future progress.
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