Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced in the State Legislative Assembly under Rule 110 that new advanced cancer care centres would be established in Chennai and Madurai to strengthen cancer screening and treatment facilities across the state.
A comprehensive cancer treatment centre will be constructed at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs.471.80 crore, with a 14-storey building and integrated medical facilities.
A separate regional cancer centre will be established at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital at a cost of Rs.84 crore, with an eight-storey facility intended to provide advanced cancer care closer to patients from southern districts.
Key Project Features
C. Joseph Vijay, Tamil Nadu government, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital Chennai, Rajaji Government Hospital Madurai
Rs.471.80 crore Chennai project, 14-storey integrated centre, Rs.84 crore Madurai project, eight-storey regional centre
Expanded cancer screening and treatment, advanced medical services, free treatment for poor and needy patients, reduced travel burden for southern district patients
Modern medical equipment, radiation treatment facilities, surgery and intensive care, diagnostic services aimed at detecting cancer at an early stage
The proposed Chennai centre will be developed at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital with an estimated investment of Rs.471.80 crore. The 14-storey facility is planned to bring multiple cancer-related services under one roof, including diagnostic examinations, radiation treatment, surgery and intensive care. The integrated model is intended to strengthen the availability of specialised cancer treatment within the government healthcare system.
The new regional cancer centre at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital will be established at a cost of Rs.84 crore and will have eight storeys with modern medical equipment. The facility is expected to benefit patients from southern districts by reducing the need to travel to Chennai for advanced cancer screening and treatment.
The project is also intended to improve access to high-quality cancer care for economically weaker sections. Treatments that may involve substantial expenses in private hospitals are proposed to be made available free of cost through the new government facilities, according to the announcement. This could reduce the financial burden associated with prolonged cancer treatment for eligible patients.
Modern screening and treatment technologies are expected to strengthen the early detection and management of cancer. Improved diagnostic facilities could help identify the disease at an earlier stage and enable patients to be directed towards appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays.
The Chennai centre is planned as an integrated facility to strengthen cancer treatment capacity at the state level, while the Madurai centre is intended to serve as a regional hub for southern Tamil Nadu. The expansion could also reduce travel, accommodation and repeated referral-related difficulties faced by patients requiring prolonged treatment.
The proposed facilities are expected to combine diagnostic services, radiation treatment, surgical care and intensive care within modern hospital infrastructure. The government has stated that the projects are aimed at improving access to advanced cancer care and strengthening treatment facilities for patients across Tamil Nadu.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay officially announced under Rule 110 that the new cancer centres would be established in Chennai and Madurai to expand advanced cancer screening and treatment services.
