Maharashtra has become the first state in India where a homeopath is legally permitted to prescribe modern medicines following a one-year certificate course, according to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and state government records. The registration of homeopath Neha Pawar on Tuesday, backed by a government resolution and intense protests from practitioner groups, has triggered immediate pushback from conventional medical bodies. According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), doctors across the state are escalating boycotts of non-emergency and emergency medical services in response to the decision.
Maharashtra Government Resolution Triggers Medical Community Alarm
The policy shift stems from a government resolution (GR) issued on Monday, which instructed the MMC to begin registering homeopaths who have completed a one-year certificate course in pharmacology. According to MMC officials, registration efforts were initially stalled pending talks between doctors’ associations and the government. However, officials yielded after a crowd of homeopaths entered the MMC offices on Tuesday. Neha Pawar became the first applicant approved under the new directive by 8:30 PM, according to council records. The move opens the door for thousands of additional practitioners, with 2,500 applications pending since last year and approximately 10,000 more practitioners having completed the pharmacology coursework.
Did you know? Around 12,500 homeopaths in Maharashtra either have pending applications or have completed the one-year certificate course in pharmacology that serves as the basis for these controversial modern medicine registrations, according to state medical data.
IMA and MARD Boycott Escalates Across Government and BMC Hospitals
Conventional medical associations have responded with coordinated labor action across public health networks. According to MARD, 12,000 resident doctors across state government hospitals are boycotting outpatient department (OPD) services starting Wednesday. Additionally, over 2,000 resident doctors from four Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)-run medical colleges joined the OPD boycott. Dr. Shivkumar Utture, an IMA member and past MMC president, stated that allowing alternative practitioners to administer conventional drugs creates severe risks. “The move will have life-threatening consequences for common people,” Dr. Utture warned, noting that the association’s strike would also expand to include specialty doctors from the Association of Medical Consultants (AMC).
Legal Battle and Accountability Concerns
While the state government formed a committee via the GR to establish a grievance mechanism for medical negligence, conventional doctors point out that no enforceable framework currently exists to handle malpractice claims against homeopaths practicing modern medicine. The legality of the registrations remains tied to an ongoing 12-year legal battle in the Bombay High Court, with a final verdict expected by mid-August. According to Bahubali Shah, administrator of the homeopathic council, it remains uncertain when a final order will be issued. Meanwhile, Dr. Jayesh Lele, representing the IMA, alleged that the sudden rush to complete registrations before the court verdict is intended to fill seats in private homeopathic colleges that maintain political connections.
Pro Tip for Patients
During the ongoing medical strikes, patients relying on government and BMC-run hospitals in Maharashtra should check local facility updates before traveling for non-emergency visits, as outpatient services face widespread disruptions while emergency boycotts take effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are doctors on strike in Maharashtra?
Doctors belonging to the Indian Medical Association and the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors are boycotting medical services to protest a government resolution allowing homeopaths with a one-year certificate in pharmacology to prescribe modern medicines.
Which medical institutions are affected by the strike?
The strike impacts government hospitals across the state, OPD services run by 12,000 resident doctors, and over 2,000 resident doctors across four BMC-run medical colleges, with emergency services included in the escalation.
Is the new registration policy final?
No. The registrations are conditional and subject to a pending verdict from the Bombay High Court, where a legal challenge regarding the practice has been ongoing for 12 years.
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