Thu Sep 18 07:12:38 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Doctors across Maharashtra, India, launched a 24-hour strike on September 18, 2025, to protest a government decision allowing homeopathic doctors with a certificate course in modern pharmacology to register with the State medical council and prescribe allopathic medicine in select cases. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra, representing approximately 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors, led the strike, citing patient safety and healthcare quality concerns. While emergency services remained operational, the strike aimed to pressure the government to rescind the September 5th circular that revived the registration process. Several medical organizations joined the strike, opposing the integration of homeopaths into the allopathic medical system.
**News Article:**
**Maharashtra Doctors Strike Over Homeopath Integration, Citing Patient Safety Concerns**
**Mumbai -** Nearly 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors across Maharashtra, India, went on strike Thursday, September 18, 2025, protesting the state government’s decision to allow homeopathic doctors, holding a certificate course in modern pharmacology, to register with the State medical council. The strike, spearheaded by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra, caused disruptions in non-emergency medical services.
Dr. Santosh Kadam, president of IMA Maharashtra, stated that the government’s decision poses a “serious threat to the safety of patients and quality of healthcare services.” The doctors’ organization is demanding the government withdraw the September 5th circular that revives the registration process for homeopaths qualified to prescribe allopathic medicines in select cases.
“We are not against alternative medicine, but integrating inadequately trained practitioners into the allopathic system is a recipe for disaster,” claimed a striking doctor from a Mumbai government hospital who wished to remain anonymous.
While emergency and critical care services remained operational, the 24-hour strike affected outpatient clinics and other non-urgent treatments across the state. The strike garnered support from several medical organizations, including the Federation of All India Medical Association and the Government Medical College Association, highlighting widespread discontent with the government’s policy.
The Maharashtra government had initially issued a directive earlier this year to register qualified homeopaths, but withdrew it following protests from the IMA. However, a fresh government resolution (GR) issued on September 5th reignited the controversy and triggered Thursday’s strike action. The government has yet to respond to requests for comment. The situation remains tense as medical professionals await the government’s next move.
First Piper 