The Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth ₹600 crore with Belgian firm IBA to set up India's first public-sector proton beam therapy centre in Guwahati, according to media reports. The initiative aims to introduce state-run advanced radiation therapy for cancer care in the region.

India's First State-Run Unit

According to reporting by ETV Bharat, ThePrint, NDTV, and Guwahati Plus, the agreement with Belgium-headquartered firm IBA establishes the first public-sector proton therapy unit anywhere in India. While proton beam therapy is a specialized cancer treatment technology, the Guwahati facility will mark its debut within the country's government-managed healthcare sector under a ₹600-crore project framework.

The project represents a significant healthcare investment for Assam, positioning Guwahati as the site for India's pioneer public-sector advanced oncology facility.

Project Details and Status

The ₹600-crore agreement formalises the partnership between the Assam government and IBA for the establishment of the facility in Guwahati, as reported by Business Upturn and The News Mill. However, specific details regarding the exact site within Guwahati, construction timelines, and projected operational dates have not yet been publicly disclosed in available reports.

Further details regarding facility layout, staffing, and patient capacity remain awaited as official announcements on the execution of the MoU develop.

Sources

This report was prepared by the Vani24 news desk with AI assistance, based on reporting by the publications below.