The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, a unit under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush as a WHO Collaborating Centre (CC) for 'Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine' (CC IND-177). This recognition is granted for a period of four years, starting from June 3, 2024.

Established in 1956, NIIMH, Hyderabad, is a unique institution dedicated to documenting and showcasing medico-historical research in Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, Homoeopathy, Biomedicine, and other related healthcare disciplines in India. 

In India, there are approximately 58 WHO Collaborating Centres spanning various disciplines of biomedicine and allied sciences. Notably, CCRAS-NIIMH, Hyderabad, joins the ranks as the third WHO Collaborating Centre in the domain of Traditional Medicine, following the Institute for Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar, and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi.

As the first WHO Collaborating Centre for 'Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine', NIIMH is tasked with assisting WHO in standardising terminologies for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa, and updating the Traditional Medicine Module-II for the Eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

Additionally, the WHO Collaborating Centre will support Member States in developing research methodologies for Traditional Medicine.