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Central MARD Urges Maharashtra CM to Stop CCMP-BHMS Registration; IMA Maharashtra Calls 24-Hour Protest
Mumbai : The Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (Central MARD) has requested the temporary suspension of the registration of practitioners of BHMS with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) granted by the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). This is particularly directed to Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The appeal emphasizes the need for the government to safeguard the interests of other authorized BHMS practitioners as well as of the students who are still in BHMS and are preparing for the future. The appeal has also cautioned the government that unplanned provision of this service to BHMS practitioners will adversely impact the medical education system and framework in the state.
IMA, Maharashtra and other medical professional associations have announced a 24-hour statewide protest in Maharashtra opposing the government's move. The state of the medical profession and the concerns relating to the education of medical professionals and the legal framework for medical practice have now been put in the limelight once again.
What Caused this Critical Situation to Rise?
The registration process of BHMS practitioners has been initiated by the Maharashtra Medical Council following directions from the state government.
The CCMP program, a 2014 government resolution, teaches modern pharmacology to eligible homeopathic practitioners. This newest government order has opened the debate on modern medicine prescription rights for practitioners of BHMS.
Central MARD’s Position
In a lengthy note, Central MARD said that granting MMC registration to CCMP-qualified BHMS doctors would create discrepancies in the framework for contemporary scientific medicine. Representing nearly 10,000 resident doctors across the country, a doctors’ association said that registration with the Medical Council must be reserved for individuals who have completed the requirements of training in modern medicine. The association said that the issue is about the protection of the public’s health and not about competition among various systems of medicine.
Central MARD has appealed to the Maharashtra government not to give in to the registrations and said that resident doctors may be forced to take part in state-wide protests if registrations continue.
IMA Maharashtra also Announces 24-Hour Protest
Maharashtra unit of IMA has also opposed the government’s decision and announced a 24-hour state-wide protest across the state. The association has warned that if the state continues with granting registrations to CCMP BHMS practitioners, doctors associated with IMA and allied organizations will withdraw their services. There are reports that the proposed protest may even include suspension of outpatient services; emergency services may also be impacted.
Why are Doctors Taking a Stand?
Some of the issues raised by the Medical associations are:
- Contemporary medicine has an extensive curriculum that requires an MBBS degree and clinical training, including an internship.
- The CCMP is a one-year course which, they say, is not equivalent to an MBBS.
- This will lead to confusion among the profession.
- They are also concerned that dual registration would allow a practitioner to employ evidence-based practices.
What Homeopathic Associations Say
Homeopathy organizations supporting registration claim that those who have completed a CCMP-recognized BHMS course have completed government-recognized training after a legal amendment was made in 2014. They say thousands of eligible candidates have completed the certification, but due to earlier government orders, they have not been able to register with the MMC. Some homeopathic associations have even said they will hold protests if registration continues to be delayed.
What the Government Has Done
With emotions running high on both sides, the Maharashtra government has invited members of the medical associations, homeopathic associations, and the MMC for negotiations. The point of these negotiations is to understand the legal and administrative aspects as well as the policies that may affect future actions of the registration process.
Importance of the Situation
The issue of CCMP-BHMS registration has gone far beyond a professional disagreement and become a major policy debate surrounding the regulation of health services. While the government attempts to enforce the existing rules for CCMP-qualified practitioners, the allopathic medical associations are adamant that regulations that govern the expansion of practice should not compromise standards of medical education and patient safety.
While there are announced protests and ongoing negotiations, the next move by the government will have the potential to influence the healthcare system in Maharashtra and similar states.
The dispute over the CCMP-BHMS registration in Maharashtra is one of the most debated healthcare policy issues today, as it goes beyond professional issues to the regulation of the practice of medicine and the care of patients. While the government of Maharashtra is seeking to implement its policy on the CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners, the Central MARD and IMA Maharashtra think that, in order to maintain the safety and security of modern medical practice, the registrations should not be done until the legal and regulatory issues have been resolved.
Until the MARD protests and talks are completed, the government’s next orders and lawsuits will determine the shape and extent of the practice of the various medical systems in Maharashtra.
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