The Assam government has approved the installation of a Rs 500 crore proton therapy machine at the State Cancer Institute of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH), bringing one of the most advanced forms of cancer treatment to the public health system for the first time in India.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on January 1 during a media interaction under the ‘Natun Diner Alap’ (Conversations of a New Day) programme. Proton therapy, a highly precise form of radiation treatment, is currently available only at two private hospitals in the country, in Mumbai and Chennai.
Describing the move as a major boost to cancer care, Sarma said the technology allows targeted radiation delivery while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. “We have decided to bring this precision-based radiological treatment to Assam at a cost of Rs 500 crore,” he said, adding that the machine would be installed at the State Cancer Institute within GMCH.
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The Chief Minister said the project would significantly reduce the need for cancer patients from Assam to seek advanced treatment outside the state. He noted that patients were often compelled to travel long distances for proton therapy, placing both financial and emotional strain on families.
With the installation of the machine, Sarma said Assam could also emerge as a regional hub for advanced cancer care. He added that patients from other parts of the country were expected to travel to the state for treatment, opening new possibilities for medical tourism.
Highlighting the state’s expanding oncology infrastructure, Sarma said Assam has planned 17 cancer hospitals across the state, of which nine are already operational. He added that the government has been steadily strengthening cancer care by adding modern radiological equipment and upgrading facilities to ensure wider access to advanced treatment.
Officials said the proton therapy unit would mark a significant step in improving public healthcare capacity and positioning Assam at the forefront of cancer treatment in the country.
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