Pune: The Indian Medical Association’s Maharashtra chapter has urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately stay the registration of homeopathic doctors, who have completed the one-year certificate course in modern pharmacology, with the Maharashtra Medical Council.A letter sent to the CM on Friday said that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) is deeply concerned and strongly objects to the recent circular issued by the medical education and drugs department directing the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to register CCMP-passed homeopathic doctors from Sept 17. “Do not implement any decisions until the pending Bombay high court case is decided. Only fully trained and qualified MBBS doctors should be granted licences for modern medicine,” it said.This decision poses a serious threat to the safety and quality of healthcare services, the letter said. “Healthcare is a sacred responsibility of the state. We are confident that you will consider our demands immediately to protect the health of Maharashtra’s people and maintain the integrity of the medical profession. We request that the GR dated Sept 5 be withdrawn immediately. If it is not withdrawn, we will have to intensify our agitation. On Sept 18, a one-day statewide token strike will be observed, with all healthcare services closed for 24 hours. Please take a note of this,” the IMA letter said.To meet the shortage of MBBS doctors in the state, the letter suggested certain alternatives such as increasing MBBS seats and opening new medical colleges, providing incentives for MBBS doctors to serve in rural areas, developing telemedicine, mobile medical units and digital health services, and improving public healthcare infrastructure.The letter was signed by Dr Santosh Kadam, president, IMA Maharashtra chapter, Dr Anil Awhad, secretary, and Dr Saurabh Sanjanwala, treasurer, among other members.
