Maha sets up panel to review Homeopathic doctors' registration for allopathic practice

Mumbai: In a major relief for allopathic practitioners, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department has set up a seven-member special committee to decide whether homeopathic doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) should be allowed to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council and practice modern (allopathic) medicine.

An order issued by the department today stated that the newly formed seven-member committee will study the matter thoroughly and give its recommendations within two months. It will determine the possibility and accordingly recommend the process and guidelines for implementation.

According to Section 17 of the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965 and the Maharashtra Homeopathic Practitioners Act, 1959, homeopathic doctors are allowed to practice modern medicine after completing the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).

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The CCMP course was started based on the Government Resolution dated 13.03.2014. The course was conducted under the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik. After successful completion, eligible homeopathic practitioners received training in allopathic (modern) medicine to serve in public healthcare services.

In 2014, the Maharashtra Medical Council issued a notice in which the council was given the authority to ask all doctors who have completed the CCMP course to register with the council. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in 2017, the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drugs Department had passed a notification, allowing Homoeopathy practitioners across the State to practice modern medicine. As per the special notification issued on 27th September 2017, doctors who obtained the Licentiate of Court of Examiners of Homeopathy (LCEH) degree from 1951-1982, could register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).

This directive was also strongly opposed by allopathic doctors in the State, who had questions about how homeopathy practitioners could register with the Medical Council. The allopaths had also accused the government of promoting crosspathy. Challenging the amendments, the Indian Medical Association approached the Bombay High Court. On this, the HC bench stayed the Maharashtra Medical Education and Drug Department's notification.

"As per the directions from Hon’ble Bombay High Court, the Government of Maharashtra has considered allowing homeopathic doctors who have completed the CCMP course to register under the Maharashtra Medical Council and practice modern medicine," the order reads.

Now, the newly formed seven-member committee will study the matter thoroughly and give its recommendations. The committee is headed by the Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER), with representatives from Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Maharashtra Medical Council, the state health department and a government medical college in Mumbai.

The Maharashtra Medical Council is a statutory body established under the Maharashtra Medical Council Act, 1965, to regulate the registration of practitioners of modern medicine in the state.

The move comes after opposition leader, Honourable Shri Ambadas Danve Saheb, raised the matter in the Maharashtra Assembly session. While presenting the matter, he opposed the inclusion of homeopathic doctors in the council via CCMP route. Following this, the government issued a stay order.

Speaking on this, Dr. Abhijit Rajesh Helge, President of Maharashtra Senior Resident Doctors Association said, "We, are very grateful to opposition leader, Honorable Shri Ambadas Danve Saheb raising the matter to the Assembly, Sir strongly objected to this parallel entry at the Maharashtra state council (monsoon session) and successfully brought in stay upon the parallel registration. Due to this opposition, the government has appointed a committee to study the matter and make a comprehensive report about it within next two months."

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