3 weeks ago
IMA threatens nationwide doctors' strike over Maharashtra homeopathy registration plan
Some doctors in India are very upset.
The state government of Maharashtra made a plan.
The plan would let homeopathy doctors who took a special extra course also work as modern medicine doctors.
Modern medicine uses treatments that are tested with science.
Homeopathy is a different kind of medicine.
Many doctors say this plan could confuse patients.
They say it might even be unsafe and lead to wrong medicines being prescribed.
A big group called the Indian Medical Association says it may hold a nationwide strike.
Resident doctors in Maharashtra will stop some services but will still help in emergencies.
The government has set up a panel to decide how this should work.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), representing around 4,00,000 doctors, has threatened a nationwide strike unless Maharashtra withdraws its August 3 resolution allowing CCMP-trained homeopathy graduates to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council.
Maharashtra's government set up a panel on August 3 to define the roles of homeopathy graduates who completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).
The IMA and the Federation of All India Medical Association say the plan blurs medical qualifications, misleads patients, and undermines evidence-based medicine and patient safety.
The Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors said it would withdraw routine outpatient and inpatient services, elective surgeries and ward rounds from Thursday, while keeping emergency services running.
Former IMA president Ravi Wankhedkar called the CCMP proposal 'a windfall for private homeopathy colleges' amid falling demand for homeopathy seats.
- Who
- The Indian Medical Association and postgraduate doctors' bodies such as the Federation of All India Medical Association and the Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors, opposing a plan by the Maharashtra government.
- What
- A dispute over Maharashtra's plan to allow homeopathy graduates with a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council as modern medicine practitioners, with the IMA threatening a nationwide doctors' strike.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India, with the strike threat covering medical colleges nationwide.
- When
- The IMA's strike threat was announced on a Wednesday; the state government set up its panel on August 3, and resident doctors planned to suspend non-emergency services from the following Thursday.
- Why
- The doctors' bodies say cross-practice misleads patients about doctors' qualifications, compromises patient safety, and undermines evidence-based medicine.
Opponents of the plan
The Maharashtra government's proposal
Registration of CCMP-trained homeopathy graduates
Opponents of the plan
The IMA and Faima oppose allowing homeopathy graduates with the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council, saying it blurs distinctions between qualifications and misleads patients about doctors' training.
The Maharashtra government's proposal
The state government set up a panel on August 3 to define the roles of CCMP-trained homeopathy graduates and register them with the MMC; resident doctors' president Atharv Shinde said the rationale behind the proposal remained unclear.
Patient safety and evidence-based medicine
Opponents of the plan
Faima argues cross-practice 'compromises the quality of care,' exposes patients to avoidable risks, and undermines public trust; dermatologist Ashutosh Ade said he had seen instances of incorrect prescriptions from cross-practice, sharing an image that this newspaper has not independently verified.
The Maharashtra government's proposal
The proposal treats the CCMP as qualifying training for modern medicine registration, suggesting the state regards the additional pharmacology course as adequate preparation for practice.
Impact on homeopathy colleges
Opponents of the plan
Former IMA president Ravi Wankhedkar said the CCMP proposal could be 'a windfall for private homeopathy colleges' amid a decline in demand for homeopathy seats.
The Maharashtra government's proposal
Some doctors questioned whether the proposal could alter demand for homeopathy education in a state with a large network of private homeopathy colleges (56 private and 2 government institutions).
Key facts
- IMA membership
- Around 400,000 doctors
- Panel formed
- August 3, by the Maharashtra government
- Course in question
- Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP)
- Regulator
- Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC)
- Medical colleges in India
- Over 780 modern medicine colleges; more than 200 homeopathy colleges
- Annual training seats
- About 118,000 in modern medicine; about 16,000 in homeopathy
- Maharashtra homeopathy colleges
- 56 private colleges and 2 government institutions
- Resident doctors' action
- Routine services and elective surgeries halted from Thursday; emergency services continue
Quotes
Ashutosh Ade
Dermatologist and general secretary of the Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors
“"We’re not opposed to the practice of homeopathy. We’re only opposing cross-practice."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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