In a landmark step towards transforming cancer care in Assam and the Northeast, the Government of Assam today signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt Ltd for establishing a Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Guwahati. The agreement was signed at Lok Sewa Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
With an investment of approximately Rs 600 crore, the Centre will be India’s first proton therapy facility to be established by a State Government. It will bring one of the world’s most advanced forms of radiation-based cancer treatment closer to patients in the Northeast, while positioning Assam as a major hub for specialised cancer care.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma termed the initiative as an important milestone in the State Government’s sustained efforts to make advanced cancer treatment accessible and affordable to ordinary citizens. He said, “Cancer continues to be one of the major public health challenges facing Assam and the Northeast. Our Government firmly believes that access to quality healthcare should not depend on the patients’ place of living or their ability to travel to distant cities for treatment. Every citizen deserves timely diagnosis and quality medical care. With this commitment, we have been steadily strengthening cancer care infrastructure across Assam. The Proton Beam Therapy Centre is another important step in that direction.”
The Chief Minister explained that proton therapy represents a highly advanced form of radiation treatment that uses precisely targeted proton beams to destroy cancer cells while minimising radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. This can help minimise certain long-term side effects and improve the quality of treatment. The technology is particularly beneficial in treating certain cancers involving the brain, spine, eyes, head and neck, as well as cancers of the oesophagus, lung, liver and breast. Its potential benefits are especially significant for children suffering from cancer, as their developing organs are more sensitive to radiation, the Chief Minister added.
“Proton therapy can help protect vital organs such as the brain, heart and spine in children undergoing cancer treatment. It can also reduce the risk of certain long-term complications and second cancers later in life. This is an important consideration when we are treating young patients and looking beyond immediate recovery towards their long-term quality of life,” Sarma said.
The Chief Minister on the occasion informed that the project involves an investment of approximately Rs. 600 crore, comprising Rs. 315 crore from the World Bank and Rs. 285 crore