MMC Resumes Registration of BHMS Doctors with Pharmacology Training in Mumbai

The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) in Mumbai on Monday resumed the registration of Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) doctors who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP), following the withdrawal of a state government order that had temporarily halted the process.

By Monday evening, Dr Rajashri Arun Memane and Dr Mayuresh Ramesh Kamble were registered with the council. The move allows eligible BHMS-CCMP practitioners to practise modern medicine within the scope permitted under the CCMP framework. Earlier, on August 4, Dr Neha Pawar became the first CCMP-qualified homoeopathy practitioner to receive conditional MMC registration.

The state government had temporarily halted the registration process on August 18 after technical issues were cited. However, the government cancelled that halt order on August 20, paving the way for the MMC to restart registrations.

The initial suspension of registrations had triggered pushback from BHMS-CCMP doctors, who had threatened demonstrations, including an agitation at Jantar Mantar and a reported self-immolation threat outside the MMC office. With registrations officially resumed, the proposed protests were dropped.

The decision has nonetheless faced fierce opposition from medical bodies, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and resident doctors, with the matter currently pending before the Bombay High Court.

IMA Maharashtra State President Dr Santosh Kulkarni criticised the state government's contradictory directives, noting that the decisions caused confusion while an SOP committee was actively working with the IMA, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), and the MMC. Dr Kulkarni demanded the resignations of the Medical Education Minister and the Principal Secretary. He warned that the IMA would approach the Bombay High Court with a contempt petition and launch a statewide agitation if registrations are not stopped immediately.

Central MARD president Atharva Shinde affirmed that resident doctors maintain their opposition based on patient safety concerns. Shinde stated that MARD would take the issue to courtrooms and a national platform through legal remedies and public awareness, while ensuring that emergency and life-saving medical services remain uninterrupted in accordance with Bombay High Court directions.