Mumbai witnessed a large-scale doctors’ strike on Thursday, as nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic practitioners across government, BMC, and private hospitals boycotted work. The protest was triggered by the state government’s move to allow homeopathic practitioners, who have completed a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).
Services Affected, Emergency Care Uninterrupted
While outpatient and non-critical services were suspended across several hospitals, emergency and critical care units continued functioning. The strike saw participation from resident doctors’ associations of government and BMC medical colleges, the Federation of All India Medical Association, the Association of State Medical Interns, and the Government Medical College Association.
Government’s Controversial Circular
The protest followed a fresh circular issued on September 5 by the state government, reviving the CCMP registration process despite earlier withdrawal. This move upset allopathic doctors, who had previously deferred a strike after discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in July. However, the new circular prompted medical bodies to launch a 24-hour strike across Maharashtra.
The CCMP Controversy Explained
The Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), introduced in 2014 by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik, provided one-year training to homeopathic practitioners in modern medicine. In 2017, the State Medical Education and Drugs Department allowed CCMP doctors to practice modern medicine and register with MMC. However, allopathic doctors strongly opposed it, and the matter reached the Bombay High Court, where it remains pending.
IMA and Doctors Raise Safety Concerns
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra has consistently called the decision “dangerous” and a “threat to public health.” Doctors argue that granting CCMP-qualified homeopaths the right to prescribe allopathic medicines compromises patient safety and healthcare quality. On September 12, IMA wrote to the Chief Minister, demanding an immediate stay on the decision until the High Court delivers its verdict.
Call for Government Reconsideration
IMA and other medical associations have urged the state government to halt CCMP registrations with MMC until the court matter is resolved. They stressed that only fully trained MBBS doctors should be licensed to practice modern medicine. Until then, the medical fraternity has vowed to continue its protests to safeguard patient safety and maintain professional standards.
