GUWAHATI, Aug. 30: The Assam Cabinet has approved the purchase of a proton beam therapy unit at a cost of Rs 600 crore, marking a major expansion of advanced cancer treatment facilities in the state.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the facility will be established at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), making Assam the first state in India to have a proton beam therapy unit within the public healthcare system.
The project will be financed through a combination of external assistance and state funding. The World Bank is expected to provide a loan of Rs 315 crore, while the Assam government will contribute Rs 285 crore.
Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that uses proton beams to target cancerous tissue with greater precision. The approach can help reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues surrounding a tumour compared with some conventional radiation techniques.
Sarma said the facility could strengthen cancer treatment options for patients in Assam and reduce the need to travel outside the region for specialised care.
At present, proton beam therapy is available at only a limited number of centres in India, with private facilities in Mumbai and Chennai offering the treatment. The Assam project is therefore expected to expand access to the technology through a government-run medical institution.
The chief minister also said the advanced facility could attract patients from other parts of the country, potentially strengthening Assam’s position as a destination for specialised medical care.
The investment comes as healthcare infrastructure in the Northeast continues to expand, with greater emphasis on specialised treatment, modern medical technology and improved access to complex procedures within the region.