Guwahati, July 10 (IANS). Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that the state government will invest Rs 550 crore to start proton beam therapy for advanced cancer treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). With this, it will become one of the first government hospitals in the country to provide this state-of-the-art healthcare facility.
Speaking to reporters after Finance Minister Jayant Mallabarua presented the Assam Budget 2026-27 in the Assembly, Sarma said this ambitious project will significantly strengthen the cancer treatment infrastructure in the state and reduce the need for patients to go outside Assam for better treatment.
“Assam will soon become the first state to have the facility of proton beam therapy for advanced cancer treatment in the government healthcare sector. We are investing Rs 550 crore for this ambitious scheme,” the Chief Minister said.
He said that the proposed Proton Therapy Center at GMCH will provide world-class and precision cancer treatment, especially for complex and difficult-to-treat cancers, and will also make advanced healthcare more accessible and affordable for patients across the North-East.
As per the budget proposals, the government has allocated Rs 550 crore to set up a proton therapy facility, one of the most advanced forms of radiation therapy available worldwide.
This technology enables very precise treatment of cancerous tumors with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue, resulting in fewer side effects and better treatment outcomes.
Sarma said the initiative reflects the government’s resolve to transform Assam into a major healthcare hub in eastern India through investment in modern medical infrastructure and advanced treatment facilities.
He pointed out that the state has made considerable progress in expanding cancer treatment over the past few years by setting up several specialized cancer hospitals in partnership with Tata Trusts, and the proton therapy project will further enhance Assam’s healthcare capabilities.
The Chief Minister said that bringing advanced cancer treatment facilities closer to patients will not only improve survival rates but also reduce the financial and emotional burden on families who currently travel to big cities for specialized treatment.
This healthcare initiative is one of the key announcements made in the Assam Budget 2026-27, which focuses on strengthening medical infrastructure, increasing access to good quality healthcare and improving public health services across the state.
–IANS
SCH/ABM
