Bombay HC Order Ends Doctors’ Agitation, 7,000+ Resident Doctors Resume Work

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (BMC MARD), Central MARD and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Maharashtra on Thursday called off their ongoing agitation after the Bombay High Court directed the doctors' bodies to withdraw the present form of protest over the proposed registration of CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and hold discussions with the state government.

With the strike being withdrawn, over 7,000 resident doctors across Maharashtra resumed work, restoring routine healthcare services at government medical colleges and hospitals.

Resident doctors at major government hospitals, including KEM, Sion, Nair, JJ Hospital and St George Hospital in Mumbai, besides public hospitals across the state, resumed routine OPDs, IPDs, elective surgeries, academic activities, Central Laboratory services and other non-emergency services, which had been suspended since August 5. Emergency and casualty services had remained operational throughout the agitation.

"Respecting the court's directions, we have decided to immediately restore all suspended routine services," BMC MARD said in a statement. It added that the decision to withdraw the present form of protest was taken "solely in compliance with the directions of the Hon'ble High Court" and "without prejudice to our demands and legal rights."

The IMA Maharashtra, which had been on strike since August 4, also announced the suspension of its agitation. "Respecting the appeal made by the Acting Chief Justice, we have decided to suspend our agitation," the association said.

While complying with the High Court's directions, Central MARD said it was not inclined to withdraw the agitation on merits, but would abide by the court's order. BMC MARD also reiterated its opposition to the proposed registration of CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners with the MMC, stating that the move raises serious concerns over patient safety and the practice of modern medicine. It said the protest would continue through other lawful and democratic means.

Meanwhile, the implementation of the government's decision to register CCMP-qualified BHMS practitioners has made little progress. According to the Administrator of the Maharashtra Council of Homoeopathy, only one practitioner has received registration from the Maharashtra Medical Council in the past three days. The first registration certificate was issued on Tuesday evening to a doctor from Nashik.

The administrator said no additional certificates could be issued over the past two days as the MMC Registrar was unavailable due to the ongoing developments, including the Bombay High Court's suo motu proceedings. Consequently, printed registration certificates could not be signed and released, delaying the registration process.

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