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Veena George Says Kerala Transplant Institute Project Already Began
Veena George says the previous Kerala government had already started a project for a large organ transplant institute.
She says construction was inaugurated in February 2026.
According to her, the project had approval for about Rs 643 crore.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan has described a plan for an institute costing Rs 271 crore in Kozhikode.
He said it would have 350 beds and 10 operating rooms.
The institute is intended to bring transplant-related services together in one place.
Satheesan said this could reduce treatment costs to one-third of current expenses.
George argued that the earlier project should not be reduced in size or cost.
Former Health Minister Veena George said the organ and tissue transplant institute was already launched by the previous LDF government.
George said construction was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on February 7, 2026.
She said the project had received administrative approval for about Rs 643 crore and was to be implemented through KIIFB.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan had announced an institute costing Rs 271 crore on 20 acres at Chevayur in Kozhikode.
Satheesan said the facility would include 350 beds and 10 operation theatres, with transplant services under one roof.
- Who
- Former Health Minister Veena George and Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
- What
- George said the organ and tissue transplant institute announced by Satheesan had already been initiated by the previous LDF government.
- Where
- Chevayur, Kozhikode, Kerala.
- When
- George said construction was inaugurated on February 7, 2026; Satheesan made his announcement on October 3.
- Why
- George said the project was a major initiative and should not be reduced from the previous government's stated Rs 643 crore plan to Rs 271 crore.
Veena George's account
V D Satheesan's announced plan
Project history
Veena George's account
George said the previous LDF government had already initiated the project, with construction inaugurated by Pinarayi Vijayan on February 7, 2026.
V D Satheesan's announced plan
Satheesan announced the establishment of the institute and said it would come up in Kozhikode within 30 months.
Project cost and scale
Veena George's account
George said the project had administrative approval for around Rs 643 crore and argued it should not be cut to Rs 271 crore.
V D Satheesan's announced plan
Satheesan described a Rs 271 crore institute on 20 acres, with 350 beds and 10 operation theatres.
Key facts
- Project
- Keralam Institute of Organ and Tissue Transplant
- Site
- 20 acres at Chevayur Golf Link Road, Kozhikode
- Previous government's stated approval
- Around Rs 643 crore, according to Veena George
- Cost in Satheesan's announcement
- Rs 271 crore
- Planned hospital capacity
- 350 beds and 10 operation theatres
- Construction inauguration date claimed by George
- February 7, 2026
- Implementation agency named by George
- Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB)
Quotes
Veena George
Former Kerala Health Minister and CPI(M) leader
“The thought that came to my mind was -- what a joke this is. This is the previous government's project. Its construction work was inaugurated by then CM Pinarayi Vijayan on February 7, 2026.”
deccanchronicle.com
“A document was also framed by the previous government on how the institute should function.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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