IMA Urges CM Fadnavis to Withdraw Decision Allowing CCMP Doctors Registration; Warns of Statewide Strike

Pune, 12th September 2025: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra, has strongly opposed the state government’s decision to allow homeopathic doctors (BHMS) who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Medicine and Surgery (CCMP) to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).

In a letter submitted to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, IMA called the move a “serious threat to the safety and quality of healthcare” and warned of a statewide token strike on September 18 if the decision is not withdrawn.

Highlighting the disparity between the MBBS programme and the CCMP, IMA pointed out that while MBBS is a 5.5-year course covering 19 subjects along with clinical training and internship, CCMP is a one-year course with only two teaching days per week. The duration of the BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery) course is 5.5 years, which includes 4.5 years of academic study followed by a 1-year compulsory rotating internship.

“This decision risks patient safety, especially in rural areas, where inadequately trained individuals could misdiagnose, cause adverse drug reactions, or contribute to antibiotic resistance,” said Dr. Santosh Kadam, President of IMA Maharashtra. “Healthcare is a sacred responsibility of the state, and only fully trained MBBS doctors should be licensed to practice modern medicine.”

The IMA also raised concerns about creating a dual system of medical practice, which could confuse patients and erode public trust. It noted that both the National Medical Commission (NMC) and state council regulations only permit MBBS graduates to register as practitioners of modern medicine.

Dr. Kadam added, “Granting registration to CCMP doctors would compromise Maharashtra’s medical credibility at the international level. It would also set a dangerous precedent for practitioners of other alternative systems to demand similar recognition.”

As alternatives, the IMA suggested increasing MBBS seats, opening new medical colleges, incentivising doctors to serve in rural areas, and expanding telemedicine and mobile healthcare services.

The association has demanded an immediate stay on the government resolution (GR) dated September 5, 2025. “If the GR is not withdrawn, we will intensify our agitation. On September 18, all healthcare services across Maharashtra will remain closed for 24 hours as part of a statewide token strike,” Dr. Kadam warned.