Cochin Cancer Research Centre, Superspecialty Block at GMC Ernakulam set to open in 2025

Kochi: The much-awaited Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC) and the superspecialty block at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Ernakulam, are set to open in 2025. Authorities have confirmed that the construction of both facilities is proceeding as planned, with the opening dates provisionally scheduled for February and May 2025 respectively.

The Cochin Cancer Research Centre, which is being developed as a premier cancer treatment and research facility, will be handed over to the government by January 30, 2025, and is expected to be inaugurated in the first week of February.

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Speaking to TOI, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said, "CCRC is a prestigious project for Kerala, with a focus on research, unlike other cancer centres. The CCRC building spans 6.4 lakh sq ft and will have 360 beds. It will be built at a cost of Rs 383 crore. It will feature state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities. There are 12 operation theatres, one of which is being prepared for robotic surgery in the future. For the first time in Kerala, the master plan includes a facility for proton therapy as well."

"Equipment installation is progressing rapidly. Govt is considering the proposal to allocate some space for startup ventures as part of the research component. This aims to leverage the possibilities of experimental applications related to cancer research. Currently, 7,000 sq ft of space is reserved for research," the minister added.

Meanwhile, the super speciality block at Ernakulam MCH is on track to be completed by April 2025, with its inauguration scheduled for the first week of May as confirmed by the Minister after visiting both facilities recently.

Three floors of the Rs 286-crore facility will be completed by January, with the block set to house departments such as neonatology, paediatric surgery, neurosurgery, urology, transfusion medicine, and cardiac surgery. With the opening of the new block, an additional 842 inpatient (IP) beds will be added to the MCH, bringing the total strength of IP beds to 1,342.

The Minister told TNIE, “Ernakulam has several multi-speciality hospitals, and patients from abroad are coming here for treatment. With the super speciality block, we will be able to attract such patients to public sector hospitals. It will also be a boost for medical tourism."

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