NASHIK: Practising homeopathic doctors on Wednesday staged an agitation in front of the collectorate demanding permission to use allopathic medicines in times of emergency.

"We have been demanding the government to allow us to practice and prescribe allopathic medicines in the interest of the patients during emergencies," said Dr Arun Bhasme of homeopathic doctors' forum against injustice.

Dr Bhasme, head of the the Anyay Nivaran Sangharsh Samiti (Maharashtra), said the government had already allowed the homeopathic practitioners to practice allopathy, but the orders were not implemented in the state. "The state government should immediately implement its own orders in the interest of the patients," Dr Bhasme said.

He said the Samiti had also urged the government to include homeopathic treatment in public health programmes, as it will provide relief to the patients, especially those who are suffering from chronic ailments.

On the issue of honourarium being given to homeopathy doctors under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the protesters presented a memorandum to the district collectorate demanding that it should be at par with that given to the doctors through NRHM in other states. They also demanded that the number of the homeopathy practitioners should be increased.

"The homeopathic doctors are allowed to sign fitness certificates on insurance claims and even on certificates required at regional transport offices wide a central government decision. However, the state government has issued circulars prohibiting the homeopathic doctors to sign on such papers. The government should withdraw these circulars," Dr Bhasme said, adding that those pursuing doctor of medicine course should be given stipend.

The memorandum alleged that there were false cases registered against such doctors and they should be withdrawn with immediate effect.

