Kottayam: Marking a milestone in Kerala’s healthcare landscape, the Mar Sliwa Cancer Care and Research Center was inaugurated on the sixth anniversary of Mar Sliwa Medicity, Pala. The sprawling facility, built on over one lakh square feet, was dedicated as a comprehensive hub for cancer treatment and advanced research, bringing world-class services to the region.
The ceremony was presided over by CBCI President and Thrissur Archdiocese head, Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath. Bishop Emeritus Mar Joseph Pallikapparambil, who played a pivotal role in the hospital’s growth, inaugurated the new cancer center. At 99, his presence at the inauguration turned the moment into an emotional and historic occasion. He praised Mar Sliwa Medicity for its commitment to integrating advanced medical systems with compassionate care, calling the new facility “a gift of healing and hope.”
Ministers V.N. Vasavan (Cooperatives, Tourism and Devaswom) and Roshy Augustine (Water Resources) joined hands in dedicating the center to the nation. Minister Vasavan lauded the establishment, noting that cancer care facilities of this standard, previously seen only at institutions like Thiruvananthapuram’s RCC, were now available in Pala. Minister Augustine added that Mar Sliwa Medicity has combined the fervor of faith with cutting-edge medicine, fulfilling its vision of transforming into a medical college.
Bishop Mar Joseph Kallarangat of the Pala Diocese, who presided over the event, made a special announcement: the center will be named the Mar Joseph Pallikapparambil Episcopal Golden Jubilee Memorial Mar Sliwa Cancer Care and Research Center, honoring the golden jubilee of Bishop Pallikapparambil’s episcopacy. Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joseph Kallamparambil of Shamshabad Diocese delivered the benediction address.
The new facility’s vision and operations were detailed by Rev. Fr. Jose Keeranchira, Director of Projects, IT, Legal and Liaison. Dr. Ronnie Benson, Head of Medical Oncology, highlighted the wide-ranging services now available under one roof, from diagnosis to rehabilitation.
The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Francis George MP, Jose K. Mani MP, Anto Antony MP, Dean Kuriakose MP, Mani C. Kappan MLA, Mons Joseph MLA, and key church leaders. Mon. Dr. Joseph Kaniotikkal, Managing Director of Mar Sliwa Medicity, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the hospital’s mission to serve with excellence and compassion.
The day began with a solemn Holy Mass at the hospital chapel, presided over by Bishop Kallarangat. Following this, guests were escorted to the new center with a ceremonial band. Hundreds of clergymen from the Shamshabad Diocese and other regions lent a spiritual dimension to the inauguration, reflecting the hospital’s strong faith-based foundations.
Speakers and attendees alike recognized Mar Sliwa Medicity’s swift rise as a trusted medical institution in Central Kerala. Within just six years, it has carved a reputation for blending modern healthcare infrastructure with community-driven service.
The Mar Sliwa Cancer Care and Research Center promises a holistic approach to oncology. It will house departments in medical oncology, hemato-oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, stem cell and bone marrow transplant, CAR-T cell therapy, palliative oncology, onco-nutrition, psycho-oncology, and rehabilitative oncology, alongside 14 multidisciplinary cancer clinics.
Cutting-edge equipment will elevate the center’s capabilities: a foreign-made LINAC for radiation therapy, PET CT-Scan, Gamma Camera/SPECT Scan, Apheresis Machine for bone marrow transplantation, and a Cryopreservation Unit. PET CT services will begin by early October, while SPECT imaging and chemotherapy will commence immediately. The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit is set to open in the first week of November, and Radiation Oncology services will follow in January 2026.
With these additions, the center will evolve into a comprehensive one-stop destination for cancer care, bringing international standards of treatment, research, and patient support to Kerala.