Cancer centre: doubts over annuity model.

The Rs. 450-crore Budget outlay for setting up the Ernakulam Cancer Institute and Research Centre has evoked mixed reactions among those who spearheaded the campaign in Ernakulam district.

Even though they have welcomed the Budget outlay for the project, key faces of the campaign for the centre, including noted critic M. K. Sanoo, and K.R. Viswambharan, former District Collector, have expressed reservations about the annuity mode proposed for establishing the centre.

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.

'I have no idea whether any hospital was set up in the country based on the annuity model. Is the Kochi Metro Rail being completed in this model? Why can’t the government take loan from a co-operative bank for setting up the centre?' asked Mr. Viswambharan.

Stating that he was not hopeful that the cancer centre project would take off on the annuity model, Mr. Viswambharan said the patients would have to bear the impact of such funding models by paying higher fee for medicine and treatment.

Echoing a similar view, Mr. Sanoo said he welcomed the Rs.450-crore Budget outlay for the cancer centre. 'It would be good, if the authorities could drop the decision to adopt the annuity model for realising the dream project of Kochiites. They could think of some other practical methods of funding it,' he said.

Explaining that the finer points of the budgetary proposal needed to be examined before making a point, noted oncologist Dr. V.P. Gangadharan said money was required for establishing the facility. 'The budgetary outlay is welcome but we need to look out how it’s being proposed,' he said.


THE HINDU