THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The governing body of the Malabar Cancer Centre (MCC) at Thalasserry has approved a project estimated at Rs. 90 crore to turn the institution into a leading hospital in the Malabar area, the Electricity Minister's office said in a press release here on Thursday.

The project focusses on improving basic facilities at the hospital and strengthening the functioning of all speciality sections.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who is the chairman of the governing body, presided over the meeting that approved the project. Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy and Electricity Minister A.K. Balan too attended the meeting.

The meeting decided to start a nursing college attached to the MCC. This college will offer special training in clinical oncology.

Special programme

"The MCC will take up a programme to give special attention to the identification and treatment of cancer among women and children in Malabar region... Cancer is found more prevalent among women than men in this region, but many women seek treatment only towards the later stages of the disease owing to the absence of sufficient diagnostic facilities in the region. Assistance for improving the facilities can be obtained from the National Rural Health Mission. The MCC has entrusted with a special officer the task of preparing a detailed project for this and doing the necessary follow-up work," the press release said.

The governing body also decided to hand over five acres of land with the MCC to the Health Department for setting up a special medical centre for women and children. This centre will be functioning under the Government hospital at Thalasserry.

The governing body will request the Government to create 111 posts at the MCC.

Funds to be raised

In addition to a sum of Rs. 4 crore allocated for the MCC in the State budget, an amount of Rs. 5 crore will be raised for the institution this year from the development funds of MLAs and MPs, according to the press release.

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