Youth leadership to advance Traditional Medicine for Equity and Access
Traditional Medicine is deeply connected to health equity, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Yet across the world, traditional and Indigenous health systems continue to face barriers in policy recognition, governance, and meaningful integration into mainstream healthcare.
This youth-led side event at the World Health Assembly brings together young leaders, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and global health stakeholders to explore how youth can help advance Traditional Medicine within equitable and sustainable healthcare systems.
The session will examine the role of Traditional Medicine at the intersection of:
Planetary Health & One Health
Climate Action & Biodiversity
Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Preservation
Digital Innovation & AI-enabled Knowledge Systems
Youth Participation in Global Health Governance
Aligned with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the event aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration while amplifying youth voices in decision-making spaces related to health, climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
Speakers & Contributors
Shyama Kuruvilla — Director (a.i.), GTMC
Gokul Rajendran — Founder, Govardhan & GITMA
Hon Mamokete Ntsekhe, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Lesotho
Rusha Patel — Pan American Regional Office (PARO) Regional Projects Officer International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (Moderator)
Kana, Vice President External Affairs, IFMS
Evelyn Abayaah-Issah, Admin. Secretary, Traditional Medicine Practice Council, Ministry of Health, Ghana
Dr. Ziyi Xiao — International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation, Corporate Relations Coordinator
Asli Yildirim — Biomedical Scientist, Türkiye/Belgium, International Federation of Anthroposophic Medical Associations (IVAA) / EUROCAM
Video Address by Fionah Njeri — Founder, Treemendous Organics, Kenya
What to Expect
Keynote and panel discussion
Youth-led dialogue on policy and innovation
Discussions on protecting traditional knowledge and equitable access
Community-driven and digital approaches to Traditional Medicine
Networking with global health, climate, and youth stakeholders
This session is open to youth delegates, health professionals, researchers, Indigenous knowledge advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of Traditional Medicine and planetary health.
Organised by : Govardhan, GITMA, WHO GTMC , IPSF, IVAA, TCIH Coalition & EUROCAM
Anchoring Partner : UN University CRIS
Seats are limited. Register now to join the conversation.