IMA Maharashtra Doctors’ 24-Hour Strike on September 18: Reasons, Impact and What Will Remain Functional
IMA Maharashtra Doctors’ 24-Hour Strike on September 18: Reasons, Impact and What Will Remain Functional
Over 1.8 lakh doctors across Maharashtra, under the banner of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), will go on a 24-hour strike starting from 8 am on September 18. The protest is against the state government’s decision to allow homoeopathic doctors with a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) to prescribe allopathic medicines in certain cases.
According to IMA Maharashtra President Dr Santosh Kadam, while outpatient and routine services in government and private hospitals will remain shut, emergency medical services will continue to operate during the strike.
Why are doctors protesting?
The IMA strongly opposes the government’s move, warning that permitting CCMP-certified homoeopaths to prescribe allopathic drugs could lead to:
- Misdiagnosis of patients
- Adverse drug reactions and antibiotic resistance
- Increased risk of deaths in rural areas
- Public confusion and mistrust in the healthcare system
In its memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the association said that registering homoeopaths with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) would create a dual medical system, damaging the credibility of Maharashtra’s healthcare and medical education at both national and international levels.
Support from medical bodies
The protest has garnered support from resident doctors in government and BMC medical colleges, including Central MARD and BMC MARD, who have also condemned the decision.
Dr Akshay Dongardive, President of the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA), warned that if the government does not roll back the decision, the agitation could escalate into a nationwide protest, with doctors “taking to the streets” to raise public awareness about the risks.
What remains open during the strike?
- Emergency services across Maharashtra
- Critical care units in hospitals
- Emergency surgeries and life-saving treatments
Bigger implications
Medical experts fear that this move could set a precedent for other alternative medicine practitioners to seek similar rights, leading to “chaos in the healthcare system and erosion of public trust.”
