Assam To Establish India’s First Public Proton Beam Therapy Centre In Guwahati

Atul Yadav (Ravi), Editor-Crime, Bharat Express

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The Assam Government has signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India to establish India’s first public and state-operated Proton Beam Therapy Centre at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the MoU signing at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur on Saturday.

The technology, currently available at only two institutions in India, Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, can cost patients around ₹40–50 lakh.

The new facility aims to make advanced treatment affordable for families across the Northeast.

Dr Sarma said the project reflected the government’s commitment to ensuring that financial difficulties did not prevent patients from accessing advanced medical care.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance and the Centre’s support for bringing the technology into the public healthcare system.

The project carries an estimated investment of ₹600 crore. Its financing includes a ₹315-crore World Bank loan, with approximately ₹270 crore to be borne by the Central Government.

Another ₹60 crore will come from accumulated public donations under Assam Arogya Nidhi during the Covid-19 pandemic, including interest. The state government will fund the remaining amount.

How Proton Beam Therapy Works

The centre will use the ‘ProteusONE’ system to target tumours with millimetre-level precision.

Using the Bragg Peak principle, proton particles release their energy inside the tumour, reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

The treatment is particularly relevant to complex cancers affecting the brain, spine, eyes, lungs and breasts.

It may also help protect children’s developing organs and reduce long-term treatment-related risks.

The state is developing 17 super-speciality cancer hospitals with Tata Trusts. Twelve are operational, while five are expected to open within two years.

The Guwahati facility aims to serve patients across the Northeast and neighbouring countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar, supporting Assam’s ambition to become a regional medical destination.

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