In view of reported performance deficits of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in achieving its targets in providing health for all by 2000, the Coimbatore-based AIDS Cure Siddha International Trust has suggested setting up of an autonomous World Traditional Health Organisation (WTHO).

WTHO, under the United Nations charter and the aegis of the World Health Assembly, as a 'specialised agency,' could consolidate traditional medicines and formulate a holistic global strategy to provide sustainable health care to humanity as a whole, according to Trust managing trustee, A Velumani. "Despite WHO's reinforced action plan of global strategy in 'Health for all by 2000,' over one billion people had entered the 21st century suffering and scarred by diseases," Velumani said.

Stating that Traditional Medicines (TM) could not adopt the laboratory oriented investigations and protocols on bio-medical research advocated by WHO, preventing research oriented development, he said that in a global context, difficulties existed for WHO in defining terminologies describing the therapies and products of TM.

Based on the reality of WHO being unable to provide "sustainable health" to all in its present formation, it was suggested that a 'viable' organisation, on a 'decentralised' frame work, be set up under the UN charter and christened WTHO. It should have a systems approach and a strategic management culture to ensure maximum returns for health for all, bringing forth traditional medicine from obscurity to prominence.

The continuing challenges in the health sector remained alive, he said, adding that changes would be apparent only when these challenges were met, giving the poor increased economic productivity and putting a check on the cause of diseases.

India, with three of the most resourceful TMs like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, should take the leadership to create WTHO, he said, adding that the centre should initiate action to form a block of developing nations, with TM in their medicare systems.

The government, along with likeminded nations, should move a resolution in the World Health Assembly, which meets in Geneva in May each year, he said. "The South African humanitarian crisis is a monumental example of the health gap that WHO is supposed to have bridged," he said, adding "as many as 300,000 people may die of diseases there. As malaria has returned, all sorts of ailments like the West Nile disease and yellow fever have cropped up."

HIV/AIDS was yet another predominant challenge, demanding joint efforts of governments, institutions and individuals and also involving billions of rupees, he said.

Describing WHO as "unwieldy," Velumani said the regional diversity in the use and role of Traditional Medicine (TM) was complex. While TM systems were legally absorbed in the mainstream medicare system, in most developing nations, it was loosely knit, without scientific operational structures.

With global population in 2050 projected to increase by 50 per cent, the disease burden would increase proportionately. The question then would be "who will treat the world in 2050 AD?"

There were 20 WHO collaborating centres for TM in seven regions, he said, adding that WTHO could adopt available WHO TM Strategy 2002-05 and WHO centre for TM and go ahead with implementing programmes to develop global health.