Traditional Medicine Health Heritage Innovations (H2I)

Health Heritage Innovations (H2I) is a global initiative launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Traditional Medicine Centre to identify and support scalable, evidence-informed traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM) innovations.

It invites submissions from diverse innovators including start-ups, research institutions, Indigenous knowledge holders, community organizations, and individual researchers and practitioners, working across product design, diagnostics, care delivery, governance, sustainable sourcing or evidence generation to advance health equity and sustainability.

The 2025 H2I Open Call opportunity attracted a considerable number of high-quality submissions from around the world. After a rigorous, multistage selection process spanning all WHO regions and expert review, 21 awardees were selected for recognition and inclusion in the 2025 H2I cohort.

The 2025 awardees formally showcased their innovations at the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, held from 17-19 December 2025 in New Delhi, India, through live pitches, digital displays and innovation posters. Beyond the Summit, the cohort is engaged in a structured 12-month H2I accelerator programme, including technical mentorship and visibility support to strengthen validation, responsible integration and pathways to scale.

H2I Innovators List

1. Neonatal osteopathic care - Integrating neonatal osteopathic care with global implementation protocols to improve health and economic outcomes

Dr Ana Paula A. Ferreira - United Kingdom

2. Traditional Medicine Innovation Hub - Fostering innovation in Traditional Medicine, health beverages and pharmaceutical ingredients

Eng. Anke Weisheit - Uganda

3. Paradise tree transforms cancer treatment - Clinical development and global validation of an Ayurvedic herbal treatment for the integrative management of cancer

Dr. Ritu Verma - India

4. Panthai AI Doctor - Integrating AI with Thai Traditional Medicine knowledge to diagnose common ailments

Dr. Peeracha Kookasamkij - Thailand

5. Temi Totihi - An intercultural prenatal care guide co-created in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory

Érica Dumont Pena - Brazil

6. HT042: Heritage-based growth science - A scientifically standardized botanical intervention supporting healthy bone growth and developmental physiology

Professor Hocheol Kim - Republic of Korea

7. Modern tongue diagnostics - A new discipline that integrates tongue diagnostics directly with treatment

Dr. Hong Chun Yin - United Kingdom

8. InovafitoBrasil - A new collaborative approach to discovering drugs from medicinal plants in low-income countries

Isabela Allende - Brazil

9. Cost-effective intercultural platform - Integrating traditional, complementary and conventional medicine through real-time analytics

Dr. Juan Jesús Huaccho Rojas - Peru

10. Plant-based medicine for salmonellosis - A patented, safe and effective herbal solution to combat antimicrobial resistance and treat digestive infections

Kossi Brice Boris Legba - Benin

11. Herb-based cream for sun-damaged skin - A novel topical cream that uses photoactivation of herb extracts to treat skin lesions

Professor Loke Chui Fung - Malaysia

12. Indigenous herbal teas - Going back to our roots to find innovative health solutions

Professor Motlalepula Matsabisa - South Africa

13. Medical Yoga Standardized Intervention (MOSI) - A clinically governed, scalable and digitally enabled framework for health systems

Dr. Pär Krutzén - Sweden

14. AI assistant for Ayurveda (VASSIST) - An advanced AI platform for Ayurvedic management of musculoskeletal diseases

Dr Somit Kumar - India

15. Transforming spine and joint health care - Integrating standardized Korean Medicine therapies with advanced technology - Jaseng Medical Foundation

Ye-Seul Lee - Republic of Korea

16. Indigenous medicine R&D framework - An Indigenous-led best-practice framework for research and development (R&D) with Australian native plants

Dr Alana Gall - Australia

17. TechnoHeritage Ayurveda - Data-driven, Internet of Things-powered innovations enhancing safety, evidence and sustainability in traditional therapies

Anuroop K B - India

18. Molecular Biodiversity Programme - Generating value from forests through a novel and inclusive innovation pathway in the big tech era

Dr. Daniela Barretto Barbosa Trivella - Brazil

19. Fortified beetroot to treat anaemia - Beetroot powder fortified with iron sulphate, ascorbic acid and folic acid reduces anaemia

Peter Ssonko - Uganda

20. Futuristic date palm extract for heart disease - Regular intake of a novel nano-composition of date palm provides cardiac protection

Professor Soad Khalil Al Jaouni - Saudi Arabia

21. Bridging Traditional Medicine and oncology - Using plant phytochemicals, AI and machine learning to treat oral cancer harbouring genetic mutations

Dr Vikram Gota - India

Disclaimer: Inclusion on this page does not constitute verification, regulatory approval or endorsement by the World Health Organization. Information is provided for transparency, visibility and collaboration purposes.