2 more homeopaths register with MMC

The registrations are significant in light of the controversy over allowing homeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicines after completion of a year-long Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP)

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) resumed the registration of homeopaths on Monday, after the state medical education department lifted its freeze on such registrations last week. The total number of homeopaths registered with the MMC is now three.

2 more homeopaths register with MMC

The registrations are significant in light of the controversy over allowing homeopaths to prescribe allopathic medicines after completion of a year-long Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).

On Monday, Dr Rajashri Memane and Dr Mayuresh Kamble, from Mankhurd and Badlapur respectively, received their registration certification online, subject to the orders of the Bombay High Court hearing this issue. Dr Neha Pawar became the first homeopath to register with the MMC on August 4.

Incidentally, the day was not without drama. Dr Kundlik Gorad, a homeopath, threatened suicide by drinking phenyl if registrations did not resume. Gorad completed the CCMP seven years ago and claimed to be one of the first applicants seeking registration with the MMC.

Around 10,500-odd homeopaths of the 90,000 registered in Maharashtra have completed the CCMP course and are seeking registration with the MMC.

“There were technical issues along with glitches in the names, which made only two registrations possible. From here on, we expect things to proceed smoothly,” said Dr Yogesh Bhalerao, president of the Integrated Doctors Association (IDA).

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has now threatened to move for contempt proceedings in the ongoing court case on this issue and also initiate a statewide agitation against registering homeopaths with the MMC. The IMA has also sought the resignation of medical education minister Hasan Mushrif and principal secretary Dheeraj Kumar for their “arbitrary, irresponsible, chaotic directives, disrespect to judicial instructions, and gross mismanagement of the issue”.

The medical education department had issued seemingly contradictory directions on August 18 and 20, first barring homeopathic registrations and subsequently allowing them.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said they will continue their legal fight on this issue, opposing the registrations, saying they are committed to patient safety