On February 11, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated an international conference on Unani medicine at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of Ayush, the event was titled “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way Forward.” It marked the celebration of Unani Day and aimed to highlight the role of Unani medicine in contemporary healthcare.
Unani Day is observed in honor of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a notable Unani physician, freedom fighter, and educator. Since 2016, this day has been celebrated to acknowledge his contributions to the Unani system of medicine in India. President Murmu paid tribute to him, underlining the importance of ongoing innovation in Unani medicine to ensure it remains relevant in modern healthcare.
How is the Government Supporting Unani Medicine?
India has a strong network of institutions dedicated to Unani education, research, and healthcare. The President noted the government’s commitment to mainstreaming traditional medicine, as reflected in the National Health Policy 2017. She highlighted the introduction of MD and PhD programs in Unani colleges, ensuring that the next generation of medical professionals continues to strengthen this ancient system. The conference also focused on evidence-based research, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Unani medicine, and how modern technology can help enhance its credibility.
The two-day event provided a global platform for knowledge exchange, with participation from countries like the USA, South Africa, Iran, Malaysia, UAE, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Discussions revolved around:
- Global collaboration in Unani research
- Modernizing Unani medicine using AI and molecular biology
- Promoting Unani’s role in holistic healthcare
