On Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government will take proactive steps to vaccinate women and prevent the rising number of cases of cervical cancer. He emphasized that the vaccination drive will be conducted in the same manner as in developed countries. This significant announcement was made by the chief minister during the inauguration of the new cancer specialty block at Ernakulam General Hospital.

“New studies show that seven lakh people above 30 in the state are likely to have cancer, of which breast cancer is the most common. The data also indicates that cases of cervical cancer are also on the rise. Kerala is taking strong measures to prevent the disease,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister called on the people to assist the government in achieving the objective of controlling the spread of lifestyle diseases, stating that Kerala has taken up the challenge.

“Cancer is also a lifestyle disease. In the latest budget, funds have been allocated separately for three main cancer centres. He said a lot of innovative facilities have been brought to the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram and the Malabar Cancer Centre,” the CM said.

“Apart from increasing facilities for cancer treatment in hospitals, special programmes have been devised to handle complex cases. Kerala Cancer Control Strategy, which was implemented with the aim of the comprehensive prevention of the disease, has been implemented in all districts. This helps in early detection of cancer cases. Cancer early detection clinics are set up in all government hospitals once every week. Cancer treatment will be decentralised by forming a cancer grid comprising cancer centres, medical colleges, district, general and taluk hospitals,” he said.

The chief minister emphasized that the new cancer block in the general hospital will significantly boost Kochi's healthcare sector.

“It’s a huge achievement that 100 cancer patients could be given in-patient treatment at a general hospital. The cancer block is equipped with modern facilities such as separate wards for men and women, a cancer ICU, a chemotherapy unit and a neutropenia ICU which ensures emergency treatment for patients in case their platelet count goes down during chemotherapy. The treatment equipment has been made available in association with Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd,” the chief minister said.

Health Minister Veena George, the chief guest at the event, announced that the construction of the Kochi Cancer Centre at Kalamassery will be completed, and the facility will be dedicated to the people this year itself. Those attending the meeting included Ministers P Rajeeve and M B Rajesh, Hibi Eden MP, MLAs T J Vinod and K J Maxy, and Mayor M Anilkumar.