The launch event for Module 2 of the ICD 11 TM, focusing on Morbidity Codes by the World Health Organization, is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on January 10, 2024. In a significant development, the terminology and data related to diseases rooted in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems will now be incorporated into the WHO’s ICD11 classification.
This integration marks a stride towards global uniformity in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha (ASU) medicine, establishing a standardized vocabulary for disease definitions. The International Classification of Diseases (ICDs) series by the World Health Organization is designed to internationally categorize diseases. Presently, global disease data primarily relies on diagnoses through modern biomedicine, leaving out classifications based on Ayush systems like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani from the WHO ICD series.
During a meeting held on January 9, the Director of Integrated Health Services from WHO Geneva, along with senior officials and members of the Ministry of Ayush, discussed the efforts of the ministry and the significance of incorporating Traditional Medicine into ICD 11. Pradeep Dua, Technical Officer Tradition, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, Integrated Health Services, WHO, actively participated in the discussions.
The Central Bureau of Health Intelligence (CBHI), an agency under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, acts as the WHO Collaboration Centre for ICD-related activities. It aids in collecting and disseminating data on various diseases and mortality. The Ministry of Ayush has already developed the Code for Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Medicine through the National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Electronic Portal (NAMSTE). Collaborating with WHO, the ministry has categorized data and terminology related to diseases based on Ayush systems under the TM2 module of the ICD11 series. A Donor Agreement has been signed between the Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization in this regard.
This initiative is expected to enhance India’s public healthcare delivery system, research, Ayush insurance coverage, research and development, and policymaking. The international coding of traditional medical terminology and prevalent diseases of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Medicine under ICD-11 will be officially released on January 10, 2024, in New Delhi, jointly by officials from WHO and the Ministry of AYUSH. The coding will encompass infectious diseases like Malaria and lifestyle diseases such as chronic insomnia. Disorders like Vertigo Guidance Disorder, known by different names in the traditional systems, will also be included in the international code through the TM2 module of ICD11.