The National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre (CC) for “Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine” (CC IND-177). This prestigious designation, effective from June 3, 2024, marks NIIMH as the pioneering WHO Collaborating Centre in this domain.
Established in 1956, NIIMH has dedicated itself to preserving and advancing medico-historical research across traditional healthcare disciplines such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy, and Biomedicine in India. Under the leadership of Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS and Head of the WHO-CC, NIIMH has excelled in various digital initiatives and research endeavors.
Prof. Acharya expressed his pride in this achievement, emphasizing the institute’s commitment to traditional medicine and historical research. NIIMH has spearheaded several digital initiatives including the AMAR Portal, SAHI Portal, e-Books of Ayush project, NAMASTE Portal, and Ayush Research Portal, which collectively archive and disseminate extensive knowledge and research in these fields.
The institute boasts a rich repository of over 500 physical manuscripts, housed within its Medical Heritage Museum and Library, featuring rare books and manuscripts dating back to the 15th century AD. NIIMH also publishes the esteemed Journal of Indian Medical Heritage, furthering scholarly discourse in traditional medicine.
As the first WHO Collaborating Centre for “Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine,” NIIMH will play a crucial role in standardizing terminologies for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa, and updating the Traditional Medicine Module-II for the Eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Additionally, the centre will assist member states in developing robust research methodologies for traditional medicine.
This designation underscores the leadership and support of Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary (Ayush), Government of India, and technical guidance from Dr. Pawan Godatwar, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi, and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dua, WHO Headquarters.
Led by Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, the WHO Collaborating Centre at NIIMH will operate in close coordination with a dedicated team including Dr. G. P. Prasad, Dr. Saketh Ram Thrigulla, and Dr. Santosh Mane, in collaboration with the Literary and Fundamental Research team of CCRAS Headquarters.
This recognition positions NIIMH at the forefront of global efforts to integrate traditional medicine into mainstream healthcare, reaffirming India’s leadership in preserving and promoting the rich heritage of traditional healthcare systems.
