: The State Government would be seeking Union government’s aid in setting up the Cancer Hospital and Research Centre here, said Minister for Health V.S. Sivakumar.
Speaking to The Hindu over telephone, he said that he had sought an appointment with the Union Health Minister in New Delhi on Friday.
The State had proposed for an annuity mode because of the lack of funds, he said. If the Union government agrees to fund the cancer centre here, a lesser amount needs to be provided in the annuity mode in each budget, he added.
It is learnt that the finance department is yet to provide the green signal to the new funding proposal.
The annuity model involves a bidder to come in to build the project while a fixed amount is provided every year till the full amount is realised with some interest. This would also mean shelling out about Rs. 700 crore for the Rs. 450-crore project.
The foundation stone for the 300-bed cancer centre was laid by the Chief Minster at the Government Medical College, Ernakulam premises at Kalamassery where about ten acres have been earmarked for the cancer centre. The detailed project was submitted by the HSCC Ltd, a public sector undertaking in the hospital services and construction stating that the project can be completed on a fast track and would ready in two years.
If the Union government agrees
to fund the centre, a lesser amount needs to be provided in the annuity mode in each budget, says
Health Minister.
