By Ria Jain
About 1.8 lakh allopathic doctors across the state of Maharashtra went on a one day strike on September 18, 2025, causing major disruptions across the state for an entire day. This included doctors from private hospitals. The critical and emergency services continued to function, whereas the medical institutes, private clinics and hospitals showed the opposite.
This protest was the outcome of the government’s decision to let homeopathic doctors, who have completed their certificate course in modern pharmacology get registered. Furthermore, they were allowed to prescribe allopathic medicines to patients in some cases.
The doctor’s body claimed that this decision of registration was a serious threat to patients’ health and safety while raising questions about the healthcare services. Even in the early months of 2025, the Maharashtra government asked the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) to register all homeopathic doctors who have completed their year long Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) and also clear them to prescribe allopathic medications in certain cases. This decision was an attempt to fulfil the shortage of doctors, especially evident in underdeveloped and rural areas.
However, the IMA Maharashtra members had a meeting with Chief Minister Fadnavis, and explained to him the confusion and unrest it may cause among patients. Post the meeting, this notification was withdrawn and the strike which was originally planned for July 11 was delayed until any further action.
A fresh circular that revived these registrations was issued later on September 5 by the government. This caused immense dissatisfaction among the allopathic doctors prompting them to move forward with the 24 hour strike. Participants in this strike include all the government’s organisations of resident doctors, the Federation of All India Medical Association, the Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation medical college, the Association of State Medical Interns along with the Government Medical College Association