Robotic surgery a significant step in cancer treatment: Chief Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the robotic surgery unit established at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram is a significant step in the field of cancer treatment. He said that the system will be soon established in Malabar Cancer Centre as well. He was inaugurating the Robotic Surgery Unit, HIPEC treatment system, Patient Welfare and Service Block and Clinical Laboratory Tracking System at RCC.

"It is a matter of pride for the entire state that the robotic surgery system, which is only available abroad and in a few places in the country, is starting operation at RCC. The first robotic surgery unit in the public sector was set up at a cost of Rs 30 crore. Robotic surgery systems and digital pathology centres of excellence are being set up at RCC and Malabar Cancer Centre as part of making diagnosis and treatment more hi-tech by using advanced technology. The state government allocated the amount for this through Rebuild Kerala Initiative," the Chief Minister said.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) allows chemotherapy to be provided to the cancerous area during the time of surgery. The CM said that more than 17,000 new patients and more than two lakh old patients come for treatment at RCC every year.

Minister Veena George presided over the function held at RCC. Mayor Arya Rajendran, Kadakampally Surendran MLA, Councillor DR Anil, RCC Director Dr Rekha A Nair, and Additional Director Dr A. Sajeed also participated.