Thiruvananthapuram, April 15:  Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today announced that the State Government is setting up 22 Cancer treatment centres across all the 14 districts in the State in association with the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) at Thiruvananthapuram.

This would enable cancer patients to continue their treatment during this Covid period. This is for the first time such an initiative for cancer care is being done in the country. “As the immunity of cancer patients is less, it is not advisable for them to travel long distances for their treatment.

Any exposure to the Coronavirus infection would have serious repercussions on their health. These Cancer treatment centres would benefit them immensely”, said the Chief Minister. The medical services department has taken this initiative on the advice of the Chief Minister considering the continuation of the Covid situation. The Cancer treatment centres would be based at the District Hospitals and General Hospitals in the districts.

Minister for Health and Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja Teacher said, “Right now we are setting up these Cancer treatment centres with the assistance of RCC, Thiruvananthapuram. We will take the help and support of other regional cancer centres to expand this service to other areas in the future.”

Cancer patients from all across Kerala usually undergo their treatment at the RCC at Thiruvananthapuram. Now they would be able to continue their follow-up treatments including chemotherapy at their nearest Cancer treatment centres. Their medical records at RCC would be handed over to these Cancer treatment centres.

The Doctors from RCC would provide their services to these Cancer treatment centres through teleconferencing. Patients would need to take a prior appointment at these centres to avoid crowding.