RCC in Thiruvananthapuram to become biggest one in country; comprehensive facilities in 7 lakh sq.ft

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital's Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), which caters to 2.75 lakh cancer patients from within and outside the state every year, is about to become the largest cancer centre in the country by size. With the addition of a new 14-storey building, the total area has increased to seven lakh square feet.

With the opening of the new building with state-of-the-art facilities soon, cancer patients will no longer have to wait for surgery, radiation and pathology results. The current situation of waiting two months for surgery and one month for radiation, due to the volume of patients, will be resolved. Six operation theatres and two radiation machines in the new building will speed up the treatment.

Robotic surgery will be set up to make even complex surgeries effective at a faster rate. RCC will become the first public sector institution to introduce robotic surgery. There is currently a delay of up to two weeks in obtaining pathology results which are essential at critical stages and before treatment can be initiated. A digital pathology lab set up in the new building will provide immediate and accurate reports.

700 patient beds

With the opening of the new building, a total of 700 patients can be admitted and treated. At present, 450 patients are being admitted and treated in an area of ​​4.15 lakh square feet. The new building of 2.85 square feet will accommodate 250 more patients.

200 crore state project

The new building at RCC was constructed at a cost of 200 crores from the state government's project allocation. The construction started in February 2019 and the government and RCC joined hands to make it a reality at a fast pace. 30 crores for robotic surgery and 10 crores for digital pathology was allotted from the Rebuilt Kerala Initiative.

In RCC

Total patients (one year): 2.75 lakhs

New patients: 17,000

Those who come for further treatment: 2,58,000

On 14 floors

1. Special floor for thyroid treatment, including facility for iodine therapy
2. Leukaemia treatment and separate ward for male and female
3. Radiation, MRI, CT scan, mini operation theatre on the same floor
4. Suite with general wards, multilevel parking for 100 cars

108 crores for the poor

Poor patients free treatment worth 108 crores every year through RCC. 80 percent of patients will be beneficiaries of some scheme. Treatment is free for children up to 18 years.

"Construction of the new building and installation of treatment equipment is in the final stage. Patients will get its benefits within months.'

-Dr Rekha A Nair

Director, RCC