China has achieved a milestone in traditional healthcare with the implementation of the Tibetan Medicine Disease Classification and Code, the country's first national standard for categorizing diseases within ethnic-minority medical systems. Effective since April 1, 2025, the framework was developed under the guidance of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and formally announced by the State Administration for Market Regulation.
The system organizes over 3,000 treatable conditions into 15 major categories and 97 subcategories, each assigned unique identifiers through a comprehensive coding table. Mima, president of Xizang University of Tibetan Medicine and head of the standardization working group, emphasized that the structure remains rooted in foundational Tibetan medical theories while addressing modern clinical needs.
This standardization enables systematic documentation of diagnoses, treatment outcomes, and resource allocation patterns across Tibetan medical facilities. Academics note it creates new opportunities for cross-regional research collaborations and evidence-based modernization of traditional practices.
Healthcare analysts suggest the development could strengthen Tibet's medical tourism appeal while giving international researchers clearer pathways to study this ancient healing system. The classification also facilitates integration with China's broader healthcare data networks, potentially influencing insurance coverage policies for traditional therapies.
