Aim to improve doctor-patient relationship, says Nashik IMA president Aniruddha Bhandarkar

Indian Medical Association's Nashik president Aniruddha Bhandarkar, who took charge on April 1, speaks about the orgainsation's plans for members and patients in an interview with Santosh Sonawane. Excerpts from the interview:
What is the priority of Indian Medical Association, Nashik?
We want to improve the relationship between the doctors and patients.To serve this purpose, we are organising special programmes for the public, which mainly revolve around creating awareness about various diseases. In the past, we have conducted asthma and diabetes camps for patients. Similar camps will be undertaken in the future.
Any other activity for IMA members?
The IMA frequently organises programmes to enhance the knowledge of our members with respect to new treatments on various diseases. This being our routine activity, this time on a bigger scale we are organising national sports for our members. Nearly 1,500 IMA members from across the country are likely to visit for the event that would be held in the month of October. Events like badminton, chess, cricket and swimming have been organised.
Any solution on rising prices of medicine?
At present, there is not direct control of the IMA over controlling the prices of medicines. Nonetheless, IMA would soon open a generic medicine store in its premises. The aim of the move is to provide affordable medication for poor patients. There are large number of patients from rural areas who visit Nashik for medical treatment but have to pay heavy prices on cost of medicine. Such patients would benefit from the medicine store.
What is the general scenario of medical practice in Nashik?
All doctors in Nashik aim to provide best possible services to their patients and no doctor would want to hamper his reputation and practice by following illegal or unethical means to treat his patients. In general I would term that doctors of Nashik would always provide good services.
Given the shortcomings at the government machinery with respect to infrastructure and staff, do you plan to join hands in support?
There is an independent machinery at all levels of the government which function at their level. The IMA also functions parallel to the government. However, wherever there is a call from the government, the IMA has always extended hands in the support. The IMA had shown active support during Kumbh mela.