Maha: AYUSH, Unani doctors protest mandatory CME for registration renewal
Mumbai: Ayurvedic (BAMS) and Unani (BUMS) practitioners in Maharashtra have expressed growing discontent over new norms that mandate the accumulation of 50 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits during each five-year registration renewal period. Of these, at least 30 points must be secured through an online CME portal recognised by the Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM) and run by a single private operator, with each session priced at Rs. 600.
Under the revised framework issued by the Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM), it has formally tied CME participation to licence renewal for BAMS and BUMS doctors, and many practitioners have objected to what they describe as forced monetisation of professional education, reports The Indian Express.
Doctors associated with the banner of Forum Against Commercialisation of Education have alleged that the guidelines compel them to purchase credits from one MCIM-associated platform, despite the availability of several free or low-fee learning options that are otherwise available.
“MCIM is a statutory body established to regulate the professional practice of doctors of the Indian System of Medicine. However, it is exploiting AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) graduates by arbitrarily allowing a single company to provide compulsory 30 credit points for online CME (Continuing Medical Education) programmes,” FACE president Dr Vivek Korde told reporters.
“Doctors welcome CME as it helps upgrade knowledge and clinical skills. What we object to is being compelled to earn credits only through one MCIM-affiliated company, and at such high rates, when quality CME is available for free on multiple platforms,” he further added.
The association has also submitted a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis in this regard. The confusion stems from a contradiction between MCIM’s circular and statements made by its office-bearers who claimed that CME cannot be made mandatory under existing law, but the guidelines clearly mandate the completion of CME courses as mandatory for renewal of license.
Administrator of MCIM, Dr Raman Ghugralekar, told The Indian Express that no available legal provision under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961, can mandate CME completion as a prerequisite for registration renewal in case of Ayurvedic and Unani doctors. “The guidelines are issued in line with centrally issued instructions on CME for Indian Medicine practitioners. However, until the Act is amended, CME cannot be made compulsory for registration renewal,” he said.
Doctors, however, pointed out that the circular has used arbitrary words which created pressure and confusion among practitioners. Despite there being no law, the doctors would feel pressured about the courses. The doctors are demanding the withdrawal of the clause regarding mandatory credit points from a single affiliated platform to maintain transparency in CME accreditation.
