Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced on Monday that the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram and the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC) in Thalassery have introduced state-of-the-art cancer treatment facilities, including a robotic surgery unit. This marks a significant milestone as the first such facility in the government sector.Responding to a query from CPI(M) MLA V Joy in the Assembly regarding the Cancer Grid system, George highlighted that the initiative is part of the Nava Kerala Action Plan-2 Aardram Mission, which focuses on 10 key objectives, including cancer control and prevention.
The Cancer Grid is a statewide network developed by the Health Department to coordinate cancer treatment services. It connects the three main cancer centres in Kerala, cancer treatment units in medical colleges, and cancer care units within the Health Department. This system links institutions from family health centres to district hospitals, ensuring seamless patient management.On February 4, 2025, Chief Minister inaugurated the ‘ArogyamAnandam –AkattamArbudham’ campaign, a large-scale cancer prevention initiative, and officially launched the Cancer Grid.
George also highlighted the ‘Karunya Sparsham – Zero Profit Anti-CancerDrugs‘ scheme, which provides costly cancer medicines at company prices through select Karunya pharmacies. In just five months, medicines worth Rs 2.5 crore were distributed, with patients benefiting from discounts of up to 88% compared to market rates.
Initially, dedicated counters were set up in all 14 districts, with plans to expand the service further. The allocation for cancer drugs supplied through government hospitals has also doubled in recent years. In 2024-25 alone, Rs 27.43crore worth of cancer medicines were distributed through Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) to various treatment centres.
As part of the ‘ArogyamAnandam – AkattamArbudham’ campaign, nearly 12 lakh people were screened within the first month. The initial phase focused on women above 30 years, with 45,000 individuals referred for further diagnostic tests.To strengthen early detection, government hospitals have been equipped with cutting-edge imaging facilities such as PET scans, SPECT scans, and mammography machines. Additionally, advanced radiation therapy equipment, including High Energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machines, Telecobalt machines, and brachytherapy units, have been installed.
Transforming MCC into a Research Institute
The Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC)has been upgraded to a Post Graduate Institute of Oncology Science andResearch, with financial assistance of Rs 562.25 crore from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board(KIIFB). Plans are also underway to transform RCC and MCC into centres of excellence in digital pathology.
RCC has developed ‘Cervi Scan’, a breakthrough technology for cervical cancer detection, which has earned recognition from the United Nations. MCC, on the other hand, has successfully implemented advanced treatments such as CART-cell therapy and ocular plaque brachytherapy for eye cancer.With these initiatives, Kerala continues to strengthen its cancer care infrastructure, ensuring better treatment, early diagnosis, and affordable medication for patients across the state.
