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CM C. Joseph Vijay addresses the Assembly on Wednesday
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) made a slew of announcements in the health sector, including an increase in the coverage under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh. Construction of a 400-bed multi-super-speciality hospital at a cost of ₹300 crore in Perambur, the constituency he represents, and allocation of ₹673.44 crore for the Cancer Mission also formed part of his announcements.
“The value of life should not be determined by a person’s income. The TVK government is firm that there should be no discrimination in providing treatment based on a person’s economic status. Medical care is a basic right of every human being, and not a concession,” he said.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Mr. Vijay said medical services and surgeries for transgender women would also be offered at Stanley Medical College and hospitals attached to medical colleges in Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Chengalpattu, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri, and Kanniyakumari under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.
Mr. Vijay said as Tamil Nadu was witnessing an increase in cancer cases, the Chief Minister’s Cancer Care Mission would be upgraded at a cost of ₹673.44 crore. A cancer treatment section would be created at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital at a cost of ₹471.98 crore. The building for the cancer treatment section would have a ground floor and 14 upper floors.