Assam to get India's first public sector proton beam therapy facility at GMCH

Assam has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Belgium-based IBA to procure a proton beam therapy machine for the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday, October 31.

The proposed machine, estimated to cost Rs 600 crore, is expected to be installed within the next three years. According to Sarma, the facility will be the first of its kind in the public healthcare system in India, marking a significant expansion of advanced cancer treatment infrastructure in the country.

Speaking about the agreement, the Chief Minister said proton beam therapy is among the most advanced forms of radiation-based cancer treatment and would strengthen Assam's capacity to provide specialised oncology services.

He said the state government would continue to monitor developments in advanced medical technology and ensure that patients can access the treatment at affordable rates.

Sarma added that the arrangement would involve minimal capital expenditure for the state, enabling the government to keep the cost of treatment relatively low.

Highlighting Assam's existing healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said cancer treatment in the state was already affordable, with several treatments covered under the health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh provided through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

The proposed facility is also expected to strengthen Assam's position as an emerging medical tourism destination in the Northeast.

According to Sarma, 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.

The installation of the proton beam therapy machine is expected to provide patients in the region access to advanced cancer care without having to travel to other parts of the country or abroad.

Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that uses proton particles to target cancer cells. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which uses X-rays, proton therapy can deliver radiation more precisely to tumours while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This can be particularly beneficial in treating certain cancers where minimising damage to nearby organs is important.