Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 3 (IANS) With Assembly elections approaching, the Kerala government is rolling out one of its largest-ever coordinated health infrastructure expansions, unveiling projects worth over Rs 1,800 crore across oncology, organ transplantation, medical education and traditional medicine.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is set to inaugurate the projects over a packed February schedule, reinforcing the Kerala government’s narrative of welfare-led capital expenditure.

On Tuesday, State Health Minister Veena George pointed out the flagship projects among them, which is the Rs 643.88-crore Institute of Organ Transplantation in Kozhikode, designed as a centre of excellence for treatment, research and training.

Operating initially from the Kozhikode Medical College, the institute is expected to reduce Kerala’s dependence on out-of-state transplant facilities while strengthening organ donation systems.

Cancer care features prominently in the investment cycle.

The Rs 387-crore Cochin Cancer Research Centre and the Rs 242.42-crore expansion at the Regional Cancer Centre in Thiruvananthapuram together represent a major augmentation of tertiary oncology services.

These projects are expected to ease patient load, reduce waiting periods and improve access to advanced treatment closer to home, also an economic as well as social gain.

Medical education and hospital infrastructure are also receiving attention.

The Rs 257-crore surgical block at Kottayam Medical College significantly expands bed strength, ICU capacity and operation theatres, supported by advanced equipment investments worth Rs 115 crore.

In parallel, the expansion of HOMCO at Alappuzha signals renewed state backing for Ayurveda-linked manufacturing and employment generation.

The International Research Institute of Ayurveda at Kannur, with Rs 200 crore invested in its first phase, positions Kerala as a hub for traditional medicine research, potentially opening doors for medical tourism and global collaborations.

While critics may question fiscal strain, the Kerala government is betting that visible, asset-heavy investments in healthcare will resonate with voters in the state.

As the election season nears, Kerala’s health sector push doubles as both a development statement and a carefully calibrated political message.

–IANS

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