GUWAHATI: Assam is set to become home to India's first proton beam therapy centre in the public healthcare sector, with a ₹600-crore facility planned at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
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The Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Belgium-based International Beams Applications (IBA) to procure advanced proton beam therapy equipment for the proposed centre, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Sunday, November 1.
The machine is expected to be installed within three years, marking a significant development in the state's cancer care infrastructure. The facility will be the first of its kind in the public healthcare system in India and will also be the first such centre in the Northeast.
Proton beam therapy is among the most advanced forms of radiation-based cancer treatment. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which can affect surrounding healthy tissues, the technology uses highly targeted proton beams to destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to nearby organs and tissues.
The treatment can be particularly beneficial for suitable patients, including children, as it helps reduce exposure to healthy tissues and potentially lowers the risk of long-term side effects.
Until now, proton beam therapy in India has been available only at private healthcare facilities, where treatment costs can reach up to ₹50 lakh. The proposed public sector facility is expected to make the advanced treatment more accessible and affordable.
According to the state government, the project will involve minimal capital costs for the state, which is expected to help keep treatment expenses lower for patients.
The development comes as Assam continues to expand its cancer care infrastructure. The state has been working towards establishing 17 cancer hospitals, of which 12 are currently functional, alongside community-level cancer awareness and outreach programmes.
The state government has also highlighted its existing healthcare coverage, under which several cancer treatments are covered through the Rs 5-lakh health insurance provision under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
With investments in specialised treatment facilities and healthcare infrastructure, Assam is also seeking to strengthen its position as a medical tourism destination, attracting patients from Bhutan, Bangladesh, North Bengal and other parts of the Northeast.
