Guwahati: The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) is poised to become a leading cancer treatment centre in the region with the introduction of proton beam therapy.
This cutting-edge radiation technique, currently available in only two other Indian cities – Chennai and Mumbai – promises to offer more precise and effective cancer treatment.
Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “Coming soon: Proton Beam Therapy for cancer patients We are working to bring the proton beam therapy to Assam, a technology which has the ability to reduce cancer mortality considerably. Calling interested people to support this endeavour – reach out to us at cm@assam.gov.in.”
Proton beam therapy differs from traditional radiation by using a beam of protons to target cancerous tumors with extreme accuracy.
This precision minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs, potentially leading to better patient outcomes and a reduced risk of long-term complications.
In a major boost to the healthcare infrastructure in Assam, the old Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH) is set to be demolished to make way for a state-of-the-art 3,000-bed hospital.
The development comes in the wake of the inauguration of three new hospitals—Pragjyotishpur Hospital, Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital (MMCH), and a dedicated Mother & Child Hospital.
With the addition of the new 3,000-bed complex, GMCH will soon become the second-largest hospital in the country after Patna, with a total capacity of 5,000 beds.
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The recently built Mother and Child Hospital is likely to be inaugurated by the end of October, which will greatly improve the maternal and child healthcare facilities in the region.
MMCH will also be upgraded to a Super Speciality Hospital with modern facilities to support complicated medical procedures like liver and kidney transplants.
