WHO promoting use of traditional medicine

The WHO is promoting the use of traditional medicine by regulating and, where appropriate, integrating it into national health systems, the global health body said today on the eve of the International Day for Yoga.
The World Health Organisation's South East Asian Region, of which India is a part, reports an estimated 8.5 million deaths annually from non-communicable diseases.
Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South East Asia stressed on developing community initiatives that promote physical activity in all forms.
It suggested that physical activity--including yoga--be built into classroom lessons while some form of physical activity be incorporated in workplaces, and green public spaces such as parks and sports fields be developed to promote recreational and organised sports.

According to the WHO, an alarming 70 per cent of boys and 80 per cent of girls in the region report insufficient physical activity.
"Beyond the critical importance of physical activity, the International Day of Yoga speaks of another public health imperative: harnessing the full potential of traditional knowledge systems.
"Across the South East Asia Region, the WHO is promoting the safe and effective use of traditional medicine by regulating, researching and where appropriate, integrating it into national health systems," Singh said.