Guwahati, October 31: Assam is set to strengthen its advanced cancer treatment infrastructure with the establishment of India’s first proton beam therapy facility in the public healthcare sector at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that the state government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Belgium-based IBA to procure a proton beam therapy machine for GMCH.
The proposed machine is estimated to cost around Rs 600 crore and is expected to be installed within the next three years, according to the Chief Minister.
Sarma described proton beam therapy as one of the most advanced forms of radiation-based cancer treatment, saying the facility would strengthen Assam’s capacity to provide specialised oncology services. He added that the government would continue to monitor developments in medical technology and work towards making the treatment affordable for patients.
According to the Chief Minister, the arrangement would involve minimal capital expenditure for the state, allowing the government to keep treatment costs relatively low. He also highlighted the existing healthcare coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh.
The proposed facility is also expected to boost Assam’s medical tourism potential. Sarma said patients from neighbouring Bhutan and Bangladesh, as well as North Bengal and other parts of the Northeast, are increasingly travelling to Assam for medical treatment.
Once operational, the facility could help patients in the region access advanced cancer treatment without having to travel to other parts of India or abroad.
