A fresh decision by the Maharashtra Government regarding the registration of Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP)-qualified BHMS practitioners has triggered strong opposition from the state’s allopathic medical fraternity, leading to a statewide protest call by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors.
In a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Monday, the state directed the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to begin registering CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners in a separate register. The move follows amendments made in 2014 that enabled the MMC to maintain a dedicated register for candidates who have completed the CCMP course and meet the prescribed qualifications.
The resolution also referred to an interim order of the Bombay High Court, which permits registration of eligible CCMP-qualified candidates, subject to the final outcome of pending writ petitions related to the matter.
Confirming the development, MMC officials stated that the council has been instructed to initiate the registration process. Alongside this, the government has constituted a six-member committee to examine issues related to professional competence, standards for handling medical negligence cases, and the ethical framework applicable to homeopathy practitioners seeking registration under the new provisions.
The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner of Medical Education and Research and will include representatives from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, Directorate of AYUSH, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Maharashtra Council of Homoeopathy, and the MMC. The panel has been asked to submit its recommendations within one month.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra, which announced a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services from 6 a.m. on August 4 to 6 a.m. on August 5. The association stated that it views the move as a threat to the standards and scientific foundation of modern medicine and expressed concerns about its potential impact on patient safety and public health.
IMA leaders said they had previously received assurances from the government that no registration process would be initiated until the ongoing legal proceedings were concluded. The association warned that the agitation could be intensified if registrations proceed before a final judicial verdict.
The protest has also received support from several medical organizations, including resident doctors’ associations and specialist medical bodies across the state.
Adding to the pressure on the government, the Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has announced a statewide withdrawal of routine medical services from August 5 if its concerns remain unresolved. While emergency and life-saving services will continue during the initial phase of the agitation, resident doctors indicated that future actions would depend on the government’s response.
Meanwhile, representatives of the homeopathy community have welcomed the government’s decision and urged the MMC to implement the registration process without delay, emphasizing that the directive is in accordance with existing legal provisions and subject to the ongoing court proceedings.
The issue is expected to remain a matter of intense debate within Maharashtra’s healthcare sector as legal, regulatory and professional concerns continue to unfold.
