Maharashtra doctors’ strike over CCMP raises concerns about patient safety and medical education standards in India

Healthcare services across Maharashtra are facing a daylong disruption as nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors join a 24-hour strike organised by the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) Maharashtra chapter.

The strike, reported by PTI, protests the state government’s decision to allow homoeopathic practitioners who complete a one-year Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and prescribe select allopathic medicines.While emergency services remain operational, hospitals, teaching institutions, and private clinics across the state are participating.

Resident doctors’ associations in government and civic-run institutions, including Central MARD and BMC MARD, have pledged support, underscoring widespread discontent across Maharashtra’s medical education and healthcare networks (PTI).

Government resolution sparks controversy

According to PTI, the controversy stems from a September 5 Government Resolution (GR) directing the MMC to register CCMP-qualified homoeopaths as medical practitioners with limited authority to prescribe allopathic drugs.

The Maharashtra government argues that the move aims to address doctor shortages, particularly in rural and underserved areas.However, allopathic practitioners see the policy as a threat to professional standards, patient safety, and India’s global medical credibility. “Allowing under-qualified individuals to practice modern medicine risks misdiagnosis, adverse drug reactions, and antibiotic resistance,” said Dr.

Santosh Kadam, IMA Maharashtra president, reports PTI. He warned that dual registration systems could confuse patients and erode public trust in doctors.Dr. Akshay Dongardive, president of the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FIMA), also cautioned that the policy could trigger nationwide protests, including street marches, to alert the public about the risks posed by inadequately trained practitioners (PTI).

Risks flagged by doctors

As reported by PTI, the IMA memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister highlights several dangers of the GR:

The association also cautioned that allowing CCMP-qualified homoeopaths to practice allopathy may encourage other alternative medicine practitioners, including Ayurveda, Unani, and naturopathy, to seek similar recognition, potentially destabilising India’s healthcare ecosystem.

Implications for medical students and careers

Beyond immediate healthcare concerns, the GR has significant implications for medical education and student careers.

Education experts warn that condensing years of pharmacology and clinical training into a one-year certificate course cannot replace rigorous MBBS education.For aspiring doctors, this policy raises questions about the value of traditional MBBS degrees, especially when pursuing global recognition or residencies abroad. Students may perceive alternative pathways as shortcuts, potentially affecting enrolment trends in medical colleges and the overall standard of clinical education.The strike also underscores the tension between expanding healthcare access and maintaining the integrity of India’s medical education system, a challenge policymakers must navigate carefully.

What lies ahead

From September 17, the government began separate registration of CCMP-qualified homoeopaths with the MMC, allowing them to prescribe certain allopathic medicines, as shared in a PTI report. The state has promised consultations with stakeholders but has not indicated any withdrawal of the September 5 GR.Observers note that the outcome could set a national precedent, affecting both healthcare delivery and the credibility of India’s medical education. With protests gaining traction across Maharashtra and warnings of nationwide mobilisation, the standoff between healthcare accessibility and professional standards is likely to remain a hot-button issue in the weeks ahead.With inputs from PTI.