Siliguri, 09th December: As India prepares to host the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy (RRI-H), Siliguri, functioning under the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), has emerged as a major centre for clinical services, public health initiatives and advanced research in homoeopathy.
Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, on Monday expressed pride that the global summit will be hosted by India and described it as a milestone in mainstreaming traditional medicine for global health and well-being in accordance with India’s vision of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah.”
The theme of the summit this year will be “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” and participants from over 100 countries are expected to attend. The Prime Minister is also likely to grace the closing ceremony.
The WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will be held in Gujarat from 17th to 19th December 2025.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director Emeritus of the WHO South-East Asia Region and Senior Advisor on Traditional Medicine to the WHO Director-General, said the second global summit will play a crucial role in strengthening international cooperation in traditional medicine. A special side event on “Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact” will also be held during the summit.
Meanwhile, the Regional Research Institute for Homoeopathy, Siliguri, under the Ministry of Ayush, continues to expand its role in research and public healthcare. Established in 1984 at Sonada, Darjeeling, the institute shifted to its newly inaugurated building at Chhotapathuramjote, Siliguri in January 2024. It received NABH entry-level certification in April 2024 for its quality healthcare services.
The institute provides OPD services, laboratory facilities and a homoeopathic pharmacy, and has witnessed a major rise in patient turnout, recording a cumulative OPD footfall of 1,11,557 patients in the past four years. This reflects growing public confidence in homoeopathic treatment and the institute’s expanding service capability.
RRI(H) Siliguri is currently conducting multicentric and institute-based research on several major health conditions including cervical lymphadenopathy, hypercholesterolemia, multimorbidity, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, type-2 diabetes, stable ischemic heart disease, NAFLD, obesity, urinary stone, anal fissure and sports medicine, along with clinical verification of 10 homoeopathic drugs. Several new research projects are also under initiation.
The institute has also been recognised with awards from NARAKAS, Siliguri for two consecutive years for its performance in the implementation of Rajbhasha. Alongside research, RRI(H) continues strong community engagement through programmes like Nari Shakti, World Blood Donor Day, menstrual hygiene campaigns, vigilance awareness week and cleanliness drives.
With India taking the global lead in traditional medicine, RRI(H), Siliguri remains a key contributor in strengthening scientific evidence and public healthcare through homoeopathy.