Kerala plans low-cost public cancer screening as the Cochin Cancer Research Centre turns ten

31 October 2026

Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government is looking at public-sector facilities for affordable cancer screening and diagnosis, free for economically weaker sections.
He was speaking at the 10th anniversary of the Cochin Cancer Research Centre in Ernakulam district.
The government has released Rs 5.25 crore in pending funds for the centre.
He asked the centre to draw up a five-year development plan with yearly targets, carried out in phases.
He called for quality generic medicines in place of costly ones and for stronger public hospitals, so that families need not mortgage land or homes for treatment.
The centre was announced under the Oommen Chandy government and began working from a small building in November 2016.