Guwahati, 31 October (HS): Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday announced that the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish India's first Proton Beam Therapy Centre in the public healthcare sector at an estimated cost of ₹600 crore.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister described the initiative as a first for Assam, the Northeast and the country. He said the facility would make one of the world's most advanced cancer treatment technologies accessible to patients through the public health sector.

Dr Sarma pointed out that proton beam therapy has so far been available only at private hospitals in India, where the treatment can cost up to Rs 50 lakh. The proposed centre aims to make this advanced treatment more accessible to cancer patients.

Proton beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation treatment that targets tumours with high precision while minimisingत damage to surrounding healthy tissues. According toत the Chieतf Minister, the technology can be particularly beneficial for suitable patients, especially children.

Highlighting the state's ongoing efforts to strengthen cancer care infrastructure, Dr Sarma said 17 cancer hospitals were being developed across Assam, of which 12 were already functional.

He also referred to community-level outreach programmes and sustained investments in healthcare infrastructure and human resources, stating that the government's objective was to develop Assam into a global centre for cancer care.-----------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash