Assam CM Inaugurates INR 295 Cr Silchar Cancer Unit

This cancer care unit is part of a network of 17 hospitals across the state, a joint initiative between the state government and Tata Trusts.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has inaugurated the Silchar Cancer Centre, an INR 295 Cr project, at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH).

He also laid the foundation stone of Karimganj Medical College, set to be built for INR 578 Cr. Additionally, the CM performed Bhumi Pujan for various projects across Cachar, Karimganj, Karbi Anglong, and West Karbi Anglong.

This cancer care unit is part of a network of 17 hospitals across the state, a joint initiative between the state government and Tata Trusts.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma said, "We have inaugurated the cancer care unit, which is part of the network of 17 hospitals in the state under a joint initiative of the state government and Tata Trusts."

Reportedly, the state government has allocated INR 2,460 Cr for the project, with Tata Trusts contributing INR 1,180 Cr, alongside additional funds raised through donations.

Under this initiative, three categories of cancer care units are being established in government-run hospitals, with the Silchar Cancer Centre falling under category II. The lone category I facility, the apex cancer care hospital, has been unveiled at Guwahati.

This initiative is a part of the state government's Vikas Yatra Program which aims to enhance healthcare services in the State.

State’s Apex Cancer Care Hospital

In association with the Tata Group, the Assam government also inaugurated the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati on March 2nd.

Termed as the apex cancer care hospital, it is built at a cost of nearly INR 400 Cr. This hospital aims to offer advanced treatment to patients with critical ailments.

The State Cancer Institute is expected to cater to 350 inpatients with medical services including radiation, chemotherapy, surgery or robotic surgery, nuclear medicine, bone marrow transplant, academics, and research.

Currently, ten such cancer care centers are operational, and over 2.15 Lakh patients have received treatment through this model

Further, to manage these cancer care units, the state has established the Assam Cancer Care Foundation. It oversees the operation of these hospitals, and if there’s any revenue deficit at the end of the year, the state government steps in to fill the gap.

"Assam is setting the standard for the nation to emulate. We are considering enhancing this project to establish Assam as a key state in cancer care," added CM Sarma.

Upcoming Plans

Deliberating on the upcoming developments, the CM announced that the state government is also planning to introduce Proton Beam Therapy in Assam to facilitate advanced and targeted cancer treatment in the state.

He further noted that the state government is working with the central government to make Assam a state for 'medical tourism' with all advanced medical facilities.

This, according to the CM, will not only cater to the patients of the North East but to those of Southeast Asian nations as well.

Assam at the front of Healthcare Developments

In another program, CM Sarma dedicated a PET-CT machine at B Baruah Cancer Centre, Guwahati with a project cost of INR 13.14 Cr. The PET-CT scan facility is an advanced imaging modality used for diagnosis, staging, and evaluation of response to treatment of many types of cancers.

The CM also inaugurated the renovated state-of-the-art Art Blood Centre at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), along with the extended emergency department in GMCH.

To create an advanced cancer care system in the state, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Trusts on February 3, 2018.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated seven hospitals at Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Jorhat, Darrang, and Kokrajhar on April 28, 2022.

"Two State Cancer Institutes in Guwahati and Silchar have already been dedicated to the service of the people and the remaining are planned to be completed over 2025 and 2026. With an investment of over INR 3600 Cr, the state government is building a world-class cancer care network in Assam," the CM noted.