IMA Maharashtra Strike: What’s going on?
On September 18, 2025, starting at 8:00 AM, over 1.8 lakh (≈180,000) allopathic doctors across Maharashtra will go on a 24-hour token strike. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), along with the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) and other medical bodies, are leading the protest.
Why are Allopath Doctors in Maharashtra Protesting?
The core issue is a government decision to allow homoeopathic doctors, who have completed a Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP) (one-year course), to be registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and to prescribe certain allopathic medicines in select cases.
The IMA’s objections include:
Training gap: They argue that a one-year CCMP does not match the depth, clinical exposure, and training of an MBBS degree (5.5 years including internship) in terms of subjects, hospital experience, diagnosis capability.
Patient safety: Risks of misdiagnosis, adverse drug reactions, antibiotic resistance, and dangerous outcomes (especially in rural or under-served areas) are cited.
Public trust & system integrity: Concern that allowing homoeopaths with CCMP to prescribe will create a “dual system,” lead to confusion among public, reduce credibility of medical profession, and harm reputation locally and internationally.
Legal process: There is already a case pending in the Bombay High Court challenging the decision. IMA demands the government stay (suspend) the registration until court’s decision.
A government resolution (GR) dated September 5 directed the MMC to register CCMP-qualified homoeopathic practitioners. That is the immediate trigger.
Who is taking part in IMA Maharashtra 24-Hour Strike?
- Allopathic doctors in private and government hospitals across Maharashtra. Resident doctors in medical colleges (including government and BMC colleges) through MARD.
- Medical officers, hospital associations, consultants.
What will and won’t remain open?
Here’s how services will be affected during the 24-hour strike:
| Service Type | Status During Strike |
| Outpatient Departments (OPDs) — Government & Private | Closed |
| Routine Elective Surgeries, Non-urgent Services | Postponed or Suspended |
| Emergency Services, Critical Care, Life-Saving Treatments | Operational |
| Government & Private Hospitals | OPDs shut; only essential/emergency functions to run. |
| Medical Colleges / Residents / Teaching Hospitals | Residents will not attend OPDs; participation in strike from medical college staff. |
Demands from IMA Maharashtra
- Immediate withdrawal of the GR (Sept 5) that allows registration of CCMP homoeopaths under MMC.
- Assurance that only fully qualified MBBS or equivalent doctors should be permitted to treat using allopathic medicine.
- That implementation of any such registrations be on hold until the legal proceedings in High Court are resolved.
Also Read: 10 Best Medical Colleges in India with World-Class Hospital Facilities
Impact & Broader Implications
- Services across Maharashtra will face significant disruption for the 24-hour period; thousands of elective procedures may be delayed.
- Public will need to rely on emergency services. Non-urgent consultations are likely to be deferred.
- If the government does not respond, there are warnings of escalation: broader protests, possibly nationwide action.
What to Know If You’re a Patient
- If you have scheduled routine appointments, OPDs or elective procedures on September 18, expect postponements or delays.
- In case of emergencies or critical medical need, hospital emergency services and life-saving treatments are supposed to be functioning.
- Check with your hospital beforehand — some private hospitals may provide limited services even during the strike.
The 24-hour strike by IMA Maharashtra is all about medical standards, patient safety, and professional accountability. The crux is the decision to allow homoeopathic practitioners with only a CCMP course to use certain allopathic medicines, which the IMA argues is insufficient training and might degrade the standard of healthcare. The resolution has been challenged and is pending in court, yet the government has moved ahead with implementing it. The IMA Maharashtra Strike aims to force the rollback of the decision or at least a suspension until the legal process runs its course.
