The Assam Government has signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd. to establish a Rs 600 crore Proton Beam Therapy Centre in Guwahati, marking the first initiative of its kind by a state government in India.
The agreement was signed at Lok Sewa Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The project will be financed through Rs 315 crore from the World Bank and Rs 285 crore from the state government under the Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST).
The proposed facility will house the ProteusONE proton therapy system developed by Belgium-based Ion Beam Applications (IBA). The technology uses precisely targeted proton beams to treat cancer while limiting radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. It is particularly relevant in treating paediatric cancer patients, where reducing radiation-related damage to developing organs is a key consideration.
Specialised Training Planned for Medical Personnel
Under the agreement, IBA will provide specialised training to doctors, medical physicists, technicians and other healthcare personnel. Selected professionals will also receive training at international facilities operating similar systems. The state government has approached Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, to support early onboarding and practical training of medical staff ahead of the centre’s commencement of operations.
Expansion of Assam’s Cancer Care Network
The proton therapy project builds on Assam’s existing cancer care infrastructure developed through the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, established in partnership with Tata Trusts. The state is developing a network of 17 cancer hospitals, of which 12 are currently functional.
According to the state government, the network has recorded more than 2.6 lakh outpatient consultations, provided inpatient treatment to over 82,500 patients and administered more than 1.88 lakh chemotherapy cycles. Around 20,000 patients have received radiation treatment, while more than 400 major cancer surgeries have been performed.
The new facility is expected to expand access to specialised cancer treatment for patients across the Northeast and other parts of India. It could also serve patients from neighbouring countries, including Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar, strengthening Guwahati’s potential as a regional destination for advanced cancer care.