Resident doctors with B J Government Medical College unit of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors supported the one day strike called by Indian Medical Association. (Express Photo)The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Maharashtra State, with support from the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) and several specialty medical organisations, has announced a 24-hour withdrawal of medical services on August 4.The protest is against the proposed grant of Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration to homeopathy practitioners who have completed the Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP).In a statement, IMA Maharashtra president Dr Santosh Kulkarni said the move was prompted by reports that BHMS-CCMP practitioners were being considered for MMC registration.“This is perceived by the allopathic medical fraternity as compromising the standards, integrity and scientific foundation of modern medicine, with potentially serious long-term consequences for public health and patient safety,” Dr Kulkarni said.IMA office-bearers said the medical fraternity’s concerns had not been addressed despite repeated representations, letters and press conferences, as well as communication with various government departments.“With no other effective option, IMA Maharashtra has decided to undertake this protest in the larger interest of public health and to safeguard the standards of evidence-based modern medical practice,” the statement said.The withdrawal of services will begin at 6 am on August 4 and continue until 6 am on August 5.Story continues below this ad“If the process of registration starts, the withdrawal of services shall continue indefinitely,” Dr Kulkarni said.IMA said the protest was not directed at patients but was being held “in the interest of patient safety, public health, and the protection of the medical profession’s scientific and ethical standards.”Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our storiesTags:pune