The role of startups is gaining centrality in Kerala’s healthcare where machines and software are proving to be breakthroughs in checking a disease as dreaded as cancer, State Health and Social Welfare Minister said on 10th November.

Kerala’s sound incubator ecosystem will be of major help in providing the state administration with ideas and devices that can boost the ongoing fight against malignant diseases, she told delegates at an international meet that focuses on technology to eliminate cancer care disparity. KSUM’s startups are providing low-cost and cutting-edge solutions in this direction. Hailing the key moto of CanQuer, the 3rd annual symposium hosted by Cochin Cancer Research Centre and Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), Ms Shailaja said the government was open to suggestions that emerge at the three-day event concluding today.

"We at the ministry keep getting requests for adoption of cutting-edge technologies by companies in the field of health, especially cancer care. It’s for you experts to guide us in their screening and best use," she noted at the November 8-10 conclave in KSUM’s Integrated Startup Complex in Kalamassery, 20 km north.