Dedicated Registration Portal Launched by MMC
Mumbai: In compliance with a government directive, the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), Mumbai, has announced the launch of a dedicated portal for the registration of CCMP-qualified doctors. The portal will be accessible on the official MMC website starting from 17th September 2025. Through an official notification dated 11th September 2025, the Council instructed all CCMP-qualified practitioners to register themselves via this portal, following the procedure outlined in the earlier notification from 30th June 2025.
This directive follows an order by the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department to initiate the registration process of homeopathy practitioners who have completed a one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).
Threat of Statewide Token Strike by IMA
The Maharashtra chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has strongly opposed this move, threatening a one-day statewide token strike on 18th September 2025 if the government circular allowing CCMP-qualified homeopathic practitioners to register with MMC is not withdrawn. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavisji, the IMA urged the government to “maintain the integrity of the medical profession” and warned that all healthcare services would be shut down for 24 hours during the strike.
Concerns Raised by IMA Regarding Public Health and Legal Validity
IMA reiterated its deep concerns in a letter dated 12th September 2025, calling the government circular “dangerous” and a “threat to public health.” It emphasized that the CCMP course spans only one year with limited theoretical teaching (two days per week), in stark contrast to the 5.5-year structured MBBS curriculum involving extensive clinical exposure and internship.
Key objections by IMA include:
- Increased risk of misdiagnosis, antibiotic resistance, and patient deaths.
- Creation of a dual registration system, leading to public confusion and mistrust.
- Contravention of National Medical Commission (NMC) and State Medical Council regulations, which allow modern medicine registration only for MBBS degree holders.
- Undermining the global credibility of Maharashtra’s medical education system.
IMA recommended alternatives such as expanding MBBS seats, incentivizing doctors for rural service, and enhancing digital healthcare infrastructure.
FAIMA Demands Withdrawal of Notification
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) also criticized the notification, arguing that the registration of CCMP-qualified practitioners alongside MBBS doctors creates ambiguity and affects public confidence in medical credentials.
FAIMA’s key points included:
- MBBS involves structured education and clinical supervision, unlike CCMP.
- Only MBBS and higher medical qualifications are nationally recognized for registration under the NMC.
- Distinct roles for CCMP practitioners should be preserved, without registration under MMC.
Background and Legal Battle
The CCMP course, initiated by the Government Resolution dated 13.03.2014, was conducted under the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, aiming to train homeopathic doctors in modern pharmacology for public healthcare services.
- In 2017, a government notification permitted homeopaths to practice modern medicine and register with MMC, triggering strong opposition from allopathic doctors.
- The matter was challenged in the Bombay High Court, which stayed the notification.
- Despite MMC’s decision on 30th June 2025 to allow registration of CCMP doctors, the process was suspended following IMA’s warning of a strike.
- A special seven-member committee was formed to resolve the controversy.
