OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General underscores importance of traditional medicine in reducing global disease burden

Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, has emphasized that traditional and integrative medicine can play a critical role in addressing the rising global disease burden, especially in developing regions facing healthcare inequalities.

He made these remarks while delivering a keynote lecture titled “Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine: Therapeutic Options to Overcome the Global Disease Burden” at the 13th World Integrative Medicine Congress (WIMCO 2025) held in Changchun, China.

Prof. Dr. Choudhary highlighted that modern drug discovery models are becoming increasingly expensive, complex, and exclusionary. He noted that many developing countries struggle with access to affordable medicines, making healthcare systems vulnerable and unsustainable in the long run.

He stressed that traditional and complementary medicine continues to serve as the primary healthcare option for a large portion of the global population. In low- and middle-income countries, such systems remain deeply embedded in communities and are often more accessible than conventional treatments.

Addressing the role of evidence-based Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), he explained that it holds strong potential as a first-line treatment for several diseases. TCIM, he said, can also contribute significantly to disease prevention and long-term health management.

Prof. Dr. Choudhary pointed out that traditional medicines are inherently sustainable, as they are derived from natural sources and offer vast chemical diversity. This makes them particularly suitable for treating chronic diseases, which account for a major share of the global disease burden.

He also referenced the World Health Organization’s recommendation urging member states to integrate TCIM into national healthcare systems. According to him, such integration can help reduce health inequities, improve access to care, and strengthen resilience against future health crises.

During the lecture, Prof. Dr. Choudhary highlighted growing Pakistan-China cooperation in the field of traditional medicine. He discussed joint initiatives led by OIC-COMSTECH in collaboration with top Chinese universities and research institutions.

He cited the Sino-Pakistan Cooperation Centre on Traditional Medicine at the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, as a successful example of South-South scientific collaboration.

Further collaborations with institutions such as Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Ningbo University, China Science and Technology Exchange Center, Huawei Technologies, and Xinjiang Medical University were also highlighted. These partnerships focus on research, innovation, capacity building, and knowledge exchange in traditional medicine and biotechnology.

Concluding his address, Prof. Dr. Choudhary called for stronger international cooperation, interdisciplinary research, and policy-level support through OIC-COMSTECH. He stressed that harnessing the full potential of traditional medicine is essential for achieving inclusive healthcare, sustainable development, and improved global health outcomes.