Doctors' body backs Maha doctors protest over BHMS-CCMP registration with Medical Council

In a letter dated August 5, 2026, addressed to the Chief Minister at Mantralaya, Mumbai, FAIMA stated its firm support for the decision of the Central Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) to proceed with a statewide withdrawal of routine medical services.

The association said the protest follows repeated representations, discussions and attempts at constructive dialogue with authorities over policy developments that remained unresolved, leaving the medical fraternity with no option but to adopt what it called a peaceful, democratic mode of protest.

"Unfortunately, these concerns remained unresolved, leaving the medical fraternity with no alternative but to adopt a peaceful, democratic mode of protest," the letter stated.

The FAIMA flagged concerns raised by Central MARD regarding the proposed introduction of a Bridge Course for homoeopathy practitioners, the move to facilitate their registration with the MMC, and the resultant institutionalisation of mixopathy or cross-practice.

"Mixopathy dilutes the rigour of modern evidence-based medicine and creates a dangerous precedent where practitioners are allowed to operate beyond their formally trained competencies. This not only compromises the quality of care but also exposes patients to avoidable risks and undermines public trust in the healthcare system," the letter added.

The association said the demands raised by Central MARD and the wider allopathic medical community were reasonable, justified and in the larger public interest. The demands listed in the letter were an immediate halt to the proposed registration of CCMP-certified BHMS practitioners with the MMC, and a clear prohibition on cross-practice beyond legally recognised scopes.

The association also sought an assurance that no administrative mechanism would legitimise mixopathy, along with urgent engagement with stakeholders to resolve long-pending issues concerning resident doctors.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the row began after the Maharashtra government moved to grant Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration to BHMS doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), a course that trains homeopathic practitioners in modern medicine. This proposal was strongly opposed by allopathic doctors, who feared it would allow homeopaths to practise modern medicine and compromise patient safety.

In protest, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra State, along with Central MARD and other doctors' bodies, announced a 24-hour withdrawal of routine medical services from August 5, 2026, while ensuring emergency and life-saving care continued uninterrupted. Around the same time, the state government set up a six-member committee to define the competencies, ethical framework and negligence-handling procedure for CCMP-certified BHMS doctors registered with the MMC, and asked it to submit its recommendations within a month.

Clarifying the intent of the protest, the letter stated, "The movement was not directed against any system of medicine, but firmly against what it described as unsafe and unscientific integration of systems that endangers patient welfare."  

FAIMA urged the Maharashtra government to reconsider and immediately halt policies promoting mixopathy, engage in meaningful dialogue with Central MARD and medical representatives, and uphold the integrity, safety and scientific foundation of healthcare delivery in the state.

The association added that a timely and decisive intervention from the Chief Minister's office would help resolve the ongoing impasse and reinforce public confidence in the state's healthcare governance. 

Also Read:NEET SS 2025 admission deadlock ends! SC orders Tamil Nadu to restore 151 seats, MCC to complete counselling in 2 weeks