Assam to get India’s first government-run Proton Therapy facility, CM announces major boost to cancer care

In a landmark step towards strengthening advanced cancer treatment, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday announced that the state is working to bring a Proton Therapy machine to Assam, a move that would place the state at the forefront of cancer care in India.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said that once the plan is realised, Assam will become the first state in the country to have a Proton Therapy facility within a government health system. The cutting-edge technology will enable patients to access world-class cancer treatment within the state, reducing the need to travel outside Assam.

“In the field of cancer treatment, we have gradually introduced new radiological equipment. We had decided to establish 17 cancer hospitals across Assam, of which nine are already operational,” the Chief Minister said. “This time, we are taking a major step by bringing a Proton Therapy machine to the cancer grid of Assam.”

The state government has earmarked an investment of ₹500 crore for the project, and the tender process has already been initiated. At present, Proton Therapy machines are available only at select private institutions in the country, including Tata Memorial and Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. No government-run healthcare system in India currently has this advanced facility.

Proton Therapy is a highly precise and advanced form of radiation treatment that targets cancer cells while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues, making it particularly effective for complex and sensitive cases.

Highlighting the broader impact of the initiative, the Chief Minister said the project would not only transform cancer care for residents of Assam but also position the state as a new hub for medical tourism. “Until now, patients from Assam had to go outside the state for advanced treatment. This situation will now change. People from other states will come to Assam for cancer treatment once this facility is operational,” he said.

The proposed introduction of Proton Therapy marks a significant leap in Assam’s healthcare infrastructure and reinforces the state government’s commitment to expanding accessible, high-quality cancer care across the region.

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