Maharashtra: DMER Implements Bridge Course; 1,200 Homeopathic Practitioners Enrolled

Even though the Union Cabinet dropped the idea of implementing bridge course for alternative medical practitioners to study basic Allopathy from the NMC Bill, DMER (Directorate of Medical Education and Research) Maharashtra has decided to continue with the bridge courses. The state government has already started classes for the second batch of students. Over 1,200 students are enrolled for the second batch, and these students will have to undergo bridge course.

Director of DMER Maharashtra, Dr. Pravin Shingare revealed that the central government directed the states to decide whether to implement bridge course or drop it. The state government decided to go ahead with the bridge course despite Union Cabinet’s decision to drop it from NMC Bill 2017.

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Registrar of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Dr. KD Chavan revealed that the academic council of the varsity had given permission to start one-year duration certificate course in modern pharmacology during the academic session 2016-17. The first batch that undertook this certificate/ bridge course enrolled 700 students. These students had taken their exams and the results were out last month. The second batch commenced recently with 1,200 students and theory classes are underway, he added.

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The state government’s decision to continue the bridge course is being criticised by the IMA (Indian Medical Association). A high-level member of IMA pointed that the certificate or bridge course does not promote complete knowledge. Allowing AYUSH practitioners to practice modem Allopathy with a part-time certificate course should not be allowed at any cost. The bridge course is completely unethical, he added.

IMA is gearing up to launch a massive protest if NMC Bill is passed.