Assam signs Rs 600 crore deal for state-run proton therapy centre
The Guwahati facility will be India's first proton therapy centre established by a state government.
The Government of Assam signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd. to establish a Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Guwahati, according to the Economic Times. The deal was signed at Lok Sewa Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The project involves an investment of approximately Rs 600 crore. This includes Rs 315 crore from the World Bank and Rs 285 crore from the State Government. The Assam Tribune reported that the Centre may also utilise Rs 60 crore from the Assam Arogya Nidhi corpus.
Chief Minister Sarma said the centre would make advanced cancer treatment more accessible and affordable for citizens. He noted that proton therapy uses targeted beams to destroy cancer cells while reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues. He added that the technology is particularly useful for treating cancers of the brain, spine, eyes, head, neck, oesophagus, lung, liver, and breast.
Sarma stated that the treatment is especially beneficial for children as it can safeguard sensitive organs like the heart and spine. He mentioned that proton therapy is currently available at only two centres in India, located in Chennai and Mumbai.
Under the agreement, medical staff will receive specialised training from IBA. The state has also approached the Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai to assist with the practical training of medical personnel.
The project is being implemented through the Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation. This initiative is supported by the World Bank and managed by the Assam Health Infrastructure Development and Management Society.