HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Dec 18: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said that Assam has taken a national lead in cancer care by moving ahead with the installation of proton therapy equipment, a cutting-edge treatment modality for cancer patients.
Addressing the annual conference of the Indian Orthopaedic Association (IOA) at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in Guwahati, the chief minister said the initiative marks a major milestone in the state’s healthcare journey and reflects the government’s commitment to providing advanced, affordable and accessible medical care.
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He said that with the support of Tata Trusts, Assam has already established 17 cancer hospitals across the state, including a state-of-the-art cancer hospital in Guwahati along with regional and district-level cancer care centres.
Sarma said the move towards proton therapy places Assam at the forefront of cancer treatment in the country, enabling patients to access highly precise radiation therapy that minimises damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
He said this advancement would significantly reduce the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced cancer treatment.
Highlighting the broader healthcare push, the Chief Minister said the state government is working towards establishing one medical college in each district.
At present, 15 medical colleges are functional in Assam, while 10 more are under construction.
By 2030, he said, the state will have 25 functional medical colleges, creating a strong pool of specialists across disciplines, including orthopaedics.
Sarma also noted that the improved healthcare ecosystem in Assam was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the state recorded comparatively lower mortality rates due to the dedicated services of doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.
He said effective cooperation between the government and private healthcare sector has helped Assam emerge as a model in medical services.
The chief minister was attending the IOA annual conference, where he also spoke about the association’s long-standing contribution to medical education, research and ethical practices since its inception in 1955.
He said platforms like IOACON have played a vital role in advancing specialised orthopaedic care and maintaining high standards of training and patient treatment in the country. The programme was attended by IOA President Dr Ajit Sinde, IOACON 2025 President Dr D A Phukan, Secretary Dr Chinmay Das, Dr Anup Agarwal, other office-bearers of the association, delegates from across the country and distinguished guests.
