World Unani Day is observed annually on February 11 across the globe to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mohammad Ajmal Khan, also known as Hakim Ajmal Khan, a prominent social reformer and renowned Unani scholar. He is widely recognized as the pioneer of Unani medicine in India.
- This day serves to promote the Unani system of medicine, highlighting its unique principles and strengths.
- The theme for World Unani Day 2025 is “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions-A Way Forward”.
Background:
i.In recognition of Hakim Ajmal Khan’s contributions to the advancement of Unani medicine, the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy), Government of India (GoI), designated his birth anniversary (11th February) as World Unani Day.
ii.The inaugural World Unani Day was celebrated on 11th February 2017 at the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
iii.In 2019, CRIUM, Hyderabad was upgraded to the National Research Institute of Unani Medicine in Skin Disorders (NRIUMSD) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
About Hakim Ajmal Khan:
i.Hakim Ajmal Khan was born on 11th February 1868 in British India(Now Delhi) and a renowned physician and scholar of Unani medicine.
ii.He was a key founder of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), a public research-intensive central university in New Delhi(Delhi).
- Hakim Ajmal Khan served as the first Chancellor of JMI from 1920 until his passing in 1927.
iii.In 1905, he established the Hindustani Dawakhana in New Delhi, a prominent facility dedicated to the manufacturing of Unani and Ayurvedic medicines.
iv.In 1910, he founded the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi Conference, with the aim of unitingVaidyasand Hakims to resist British colonial efforts to ban indigenous systems of medicine.
About Unani:
i.Unani-tibb, or Unani Medicine, is a traditional system of medicine widely practiced in the Middle East and South Asian (MESA) countries.
ii.It is rooted in Graeco-Arabic medical traditions, drawing primarily from the teachings of the Greek physician Hippocrates Asclepiades and the Roman physician Claudius Galenus .
iii.Unani medicine was introduced to India around the 12th or 13th century, coinciding with the rise of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1527) and the subsequent spread of Islamic rule across North India.
iv.The Unani System of Medicine is officially recognized under the Indian Medicine Central Council (IMCC) in New Delhi, as per the IMCC Act of 1970.
2025 Events:
i.On February 11, 2025, President of India, Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day International Conference focusing on “Innovations in Unani Medicine for Integrative Health Solutions – A Way Forward” at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi.
ii.The conference was organized by the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) under the Ministry of AYUSH, aimed to highlight the pivotal role of Unani medicine in promoting global health and well-being.
iii.Key People:Union Minister of State (MoS), Jitendra Singh, (Independent Charge, IC), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, MoS (IC), Ministry of AYUSH, MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
Key Highlights of the Conference:
i.Scientific Sessions: The conference featured expert-led scientific sessions on integrating Unani medicine into modern healthcare.
ii.Exhibition: A vibrant display of innovations in Unani and herbal pharmaceuticals, educational institutions, research organizations, and service providers.
iii.Global Participation: Delegates from countries including the United States of America (USA), South Africa (SA), Iran, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh contributed to insightful deliberations.
iv.During the event, several publications by the CCRUM were released, including the ‘Souvenir of the International Conference’.
v.National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) certificates were awarded to CCRUM institutions, and a short video showcasing the Council’s initiatives was launched.
vi.Additionally, Certificates of Appreciation were presented for the best research papers, outstanding contributions to Unani medicine, and the best-performing institutions.
About Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge,IC)- Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav (Constituency:Buldhana, Maharashtra)
