Maharashtra Doctors' Strike: Emergency Services On, OPDs Shut From Today | All You Need To Know

Published 5 August 2026 · local

News cities mumbai-news Maharashtra Doctors' Strike: Emergency Services On, OPDs Shut From Today | All You Need To Know Maharashtra Doctors' Strike: Emergency Services On

News cities mumbai-news Maharashtra Doctors' Strike: Emergency Services On, OPDs Shut From Today | All You Need To Know Maharashtra Doctors' Strike: Emergency Services On, OPDs Shut From Today | All You Need To Know Published By, Edited By Last Updated: August 05, 2026, 10:49 IST MARD's strike began at midnight on August 5 over the state's move to let BHMS doctors prescribe modern medicine after a 6-month course; emergency services stay on for 24 hours. At the centre of the dispute is a June 30 MMC notification permitting BHMS (homoeopathy) practitioners to prescribe modern medicine. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) began an indefinite statewide strike from midnight on Wednesday, August 5, protesting the state government’s move to grant Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) registration to homoeopathy practitioners who complete a short pharmacology course. Emergency services will continue for the first 24 hours. OPD services, elective procedures, routine duties and academic activities at government medical college hospitals across Maharashtra have been suspended with immediate effect.

Resident doctors were scheduled to assemble from 10 am on Wednesday at Mumbai’s KEM, Sion, Nair and JJ hospitals, as well as at government medical colleges statewide, to formally launch the protest. The strike has drawn support from several allied bodies, widening it beyond MARD alone. What Triggered The Strike? At the centre of the dispute is a June 30 MMC notification permitting BHMS (homoeopathy) practitioners to prescribe modern medicine after completing a si month Certificate Course in Modern Pharmacology (CCMP). MARD said repeated rounds of talks with the state government failed to yield satisfactory assurances on how the BHMS-CCMP policy would be implemented, prompting Central MARD to call the indefinite strike. What Is MARD Demanding? Detail Information Strike began Midnight, Wednesday, August 5 First 24 hours Emergency/casualty services continue; OPD, elective procedures, routine duty and academic work suspended From August 6, if unresolved All services, including emergency, to be withdrawn Core demand Immediate suspension of BHMS-CCMP registrations until court verdict Also seeking A legally sound, transparent, scientifically validated regulatory framework before implementation; resolution of long-pending resident doctor issues Supporting bodies IMA, BMC MARD, Maharashtra State Resident Doctors Association, Association of State Medical Interns, Maharashtra Association of Gazetted Medical Officers’ Group-A, Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association Will Services Be Withdrawn Entirely?