The Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM) has introduced controversial guidelines that link Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs to the five-year registration renewal process for Ayurvedic (BAMS) and Unani (BUMS) doctors. This move has sparked significant backlash from practitioners, who allege that it leads to commercial exploitation and violates professional autonomy.
Mandatory CME Credits and Associated Costs
According to the newly issued guidelines, practitioners must earn 50 CME credit points during each five-year renewal cycle. A substantial portion of these credits—at least 30—must be obtained through an MCIM-affiliated online CME platform, which is operated by a single private company. Each session on this platform costs Rs 600, imposing a financial burden on doctors. Additionally, the guidelines stipulate that doctors must earn a minimum of six credits annually through the same platform, further entrenching the dependency on this paid service.
Allegations of Forced Commercialization
A group of doctors, organized under the Forum Against Commercialisation of Education, has raised strong objections to the policy. They argue that it effectively compels practitioners to pay for CME through a single MCIM-linked provider, despite the availability of numerous free and low-cost educational alternatives. This, they claim, undermines the spirit of continuous learning and places undue financial strain on medical professionals.
Dr Vivek Korde, the founder-president of the Forum, emphasized the core issue: "Doctors welcome CME as it helps upgrade knowledge and clinical skills. What we object to is being compelled to earn credits only through one MCIM-affiliated company, and at such high rates, when quality CME is available for free on multiple platforms." The group has escalated the matter by writing to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, seeking his intervention to address what they perceive as an unfair and exploitative mandate.
Legal Contradictions and Official Statements
The controversy has been exacerbated by apparent contradictions between MCIM's circular and statements from its office-bearers. While the circular explicitly states that practitioners will not be eligible for registration renewal without completing the prescribed CME credits, MCIM officials have acknowledged that there is no legal provision to enforce such a requirement under the existing Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961.
Dr Raman Ghugralekar, the Administrator of MCIM, clarified to The Indian Express: "The guidelines are issued in line with centrally issued instructions on CME for Indian Medicine practitioners. However, until the Act is amended, CME cannot be made compulsory for registration renewal." This admission highlights a significant gap between policy intent and legal enforceability, raising questions about the council's authority to implement such mandates.
Doctors' Concerns and Demands
Despite the legal ambiguities, doctors argue that the wording of the circular creates undue pressure and confusion among practitioners. In practice, the guidelines effectively make CME mandatory, even if not legally binding, leading to anxiety and compliance challenges. The practitioners have put forth specific demands to resolve the issue:
- Withdrawal of the clause that mandates earning credits exclusively from the single affiliated platform.
- Ensuring greater transparency in the CME accreditation process to include multiple providers.
- Alignment of MCIM policies with legal frameworks to avoid conflicts and exploitation.
The ongoing dispute underscores broader tensions in the healthcare sector regarding professional development, regulatory oversight, and commercial interests. As Ayurvedic and Unani doctors continue to voice their grievances, the outcome of this conflict could set a precedent for how medical councils balance educational requirements with ethical and economic considerations.
