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Assam Leads India With 17 Cancer Hospitals, Says CM Himanta Sarma

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that Assam's network of government cancer hospitals is unmatched by any other state in India. The state has 12 operational hospitals out of a planned 17 under a partnership with the Tata Trusts. Union Home Minister Amit Shah virtually inaugurated two new cancer centers and laid foundation stones for several other healthcare projects. Shah praised Sarma's efforts to make Assam self-sufficient in healthcare so patients no longer need to travel out of state for treatment.

Key Points: Assam's 17-Cancer Hospital Network Unmatched in India

  • 17 cancer hospitals planned for Assam
  • 12 hospitals already operational
  • Two new centers inaugurated in Golaghat & Tinsukia
  • Joint initiative of Assam Govt and Tata Trusts
3 min read

No state matches Assam's expanding cancer hospital network: CM Himanta Sarma

Assam CM Himanta Sarma says no state has a govt cancer hospital network like Assam's, with 12 already operational and 17 planned.

"Today, I feel that no other states in the government sector have such a network of Cancer Hospitals as Assam has today. - Himanta Biswa Sarma"

Guwahati, March 15

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday noted that Assam now operates two cancer hospitals and that no other state in the country possesses such an extensive network of cancer hospitals within the government sector.

Assam has a network of 17 cancer hospitals planned under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), a joint initiative of the Assam government and Tata Trusts and Sarma said that 12 of them are operational. Two more cancer treatment centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, each developed at a cost of Rs 135 crore under ACCF were inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah today virtually from Guwahati.

"You all must remember that before COVID, Ratan Tata had come to Assam in the presence of the Home Minister and the Home Minister had told Ratan Tata that you should build a Cancer Hospital in every state of the North East. Assam then dreamt a bigger dream. We signed an MoU in front of Ratan Tata and the Home Minister that the Assam Government will contribute 50%. Tata Trust will contribute 50%. to build 17 Cancer Hospitals in the entire state. From Chemo to Radio Therapy to Surgery. Today we have 12 Cancer Hospitals... two more were innaguraged by the Home Minister today in Golaghat and Tinsukia and with three more that dream will be complete. Today, I feel that no other states in the government sector have such a network of Cancer Hospitals as Assam has today," said Sarma.

Earlier today, Amit Shah inaugurated the newly constructed Pragjyotishpur Medical College & Hospital in Guwahati. He also inaugurated the Golaghat and Tinsukia cancer centres.

Additionally, Shah virtually laid the foundation stones for super-speciality hospitals at the Diphu, Jorhat, and Barpeta Medical College & Hospitals. He also laid the foundation stone for the Swasthya Bhawan at Sixmile in Guwahati and for the Abhayapuri District Hospital.

Addressing a rally in Guwahati, Shah also praised Assam CM's efforts to make the state a "complete state" in the health sector.

"He has made Assam self-sufficient in the health sector even before the end of his term. Himanta was telling me in the car today that he wants to make Assam such that not a single patient has to go outside Assam to seek treatment. We want to create a state where poor patients from Bengal and the Northeast can seek treatment... I am very happy that patients who used to travel from here to Chennai, Mumbai, Karnataka, and Delhi for cancer treatment will now be able to receive treatment in government hospitals closer to their families," Shah said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A very welcome initiative. But the real test will be in the execution - ensuring these hospitals have enough qualified oncologists, nurses, and a steady supply of medicines. Infrastructure is the first step; quality, affordable care is the next. Hope the focus remains on the patients.
A
Aman W
As someone from Tinsukia, this is a blessing. My uncle had to go to Chennai last year. The travel and stay cost more than the treatment itself. Having a center here means families can support their loved ones properly during such a difficult time. Great work!
S
Sarah B
Impressive scale of investment in public health. The 50-50 model with Tata Trusts seems like a smart way to fund such an ambitious project. Other states should definitely take note of this public-private partnership model for critical healthcare infrastructure.
V
Vikram M
While this is a proud achievement, I hope the "no other state has this" comment doesn't become a political slogan. The goal should be to inspire other states to build similar networks, not just to claim superiority. Health is a national mission, not a competition.
K
Kavya N
This is the kind of development that truly matters. Building hospitals that serve the poor from Assam and neighboring states is nation-building in the truest sense. Hope they also run strong awareness campaigns about early detection in rural areas.

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