Approximately 180,000 doctors in Maharashtra have gone on strike, protesting the government’s decision to allow homeopathic doctors to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council. Due to the strike, only emergency services are operational in government hospitals.
Doctors Strike in Maharashtra: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra announced a statewide strike on Thursday, during which approximately 180,000 doctors abstained from work. During the strike, only emergency services remained operational in government hospitals, while outpatient departments, operating theaters, and routine health services were completely halted.
Why are 180,000 doctors in the state striking?
The doctors’ protest is directed at the state government’s decision to allow homeopathic doctors to register with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC). They claim the government is attempting to give equal status to allopathic and homeopathic doctors, which is a threat to the lives of patients.
Equal status for allopathic and homeopathic doctors
The striking doctors stated that to become an allopathic doctor, one must first pass the NEET, then complete a four-and-a-half-year MBBS degree, and then a three-year master’s degree (MD or MS), along with a lengthy internship at government hospitals. In contrast, the government is allowing homeopathic doctors to prescribe allopathic medicines after completing a short-term course of just six months, which they believe is completely wrong.