RESEARCH ARTICLE: Homoeopathic medical education in Maharashtra: growth and challenges

The growth of homoeopathy medical colleges in Maharashtra state has been very rapid post-1985. This has resulted in the state's having the largest number of homoeopathy colleges in the country. However, not even a single government college of homoeopathy exists in the state, creating a significant gap in the health services system. It is in this context that the pattern and growth of homoeopathy medical education in the state and the contribution of government policies towards their growth is examined in this article. Government policies have facilitated the growth of homoeopathy colleges exclusively in the private sector. This growth is rapid, driven by commercial interest and does not match professional opportunities. The article raises some of the key problems of homoeopathy medical education in the state and calls for efforts towards the improvement of the medical system.