Assam will set up a ₹600-crore Proton Beam Therapy Centre at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), joining an elite global group of cancer-care facilities. The state cabinet approved the project on Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced after the meeting.

“Our cabinet has sanctioned Rs 600 crore to set up a proton beam therapy machine in Guwahati Medical College. This will be the first proton beam therapy in the public healthcare system in our country, and the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital will be the third hospital in both public and private sector in the country to have proton beam therapy,” Sarma said.

He added that the facility would expand Assam’s capacity to treat cancer patients not just from the state, but from across the country.

Joining a Select Global League

Globally, only around 40 proton beam therapy centres exist, including facilities at leading hospitals in the US, Singapore and Japan. “Assam will therefore join this illustrious league of 40 global centres where patients can receive treatment through proton beam therapy,” Sarma said, describing it as “the highest level of cancer treatment today.” He added that the tender process for the project has already been completed.

Funding Split Between World Bank Loan and State Government

The World Bank will provide a ₹315-crore loan to purchase the machine, while the state government will bear the remaining ₹285 crore.

India currently has proton beam therapy facilities only at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai and Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. No state or central government hospital – including AIIMS – currently has this technology, making GMCH’s upcoming centre a first for India’s public healthcare system.

Boost for Medical Tourism, Three-Year Timeline

“Once the machine is installed, Assam will gain a new identity in the field of medical tourism. We have been discussing this project for the last two years, and finally, today, we were able to get the cabinet’s approval. I believe it will take a minimum of three years to set up the facility at Gauhati Medical College,” Sarma said.

What Is Proton Beam Therapy?

Doctors describe proton beam therapy as a newer, precision-based technology in radiation oncology and radiation physics. Sarma noted that the overall project cost would cover the machine itself, staff training, building infrastructure, and other related components.