Advanced cancer research facility to come up in Guwahati

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, a facility for advanced cancer research is likely to be built in Amingaon, Guwahati, for which land has already been earmarked. The centre has been named the South Asia Cancer Research Centre, which is likely to be the single largest cancer research facility in the South Asian region.

A workshop was held under the Department of Medical Education and Research, Government of Assam, to discuss the contours of this project on March 10 in Guwahati.

Experts from different parts of India talked about the project's roadmap and how it would work. Dr. D. Nori, an internationally acclaimed expert, physically participated in the discussion. Scientists and faculty from AllMS, SCI, BBCI, IIT Guwahati, GMCH, and ACCF hospitals were invited to critically appraise the presentations made by the Indian arm of US-based consulting organization M/S IQVIA INC, which has been entrusted to prepare the project report and a roadmap to take the project towards execution.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Siddharth Singh, Commissioner and Secretary (Medical Education and Research), informed that there would be a series of consultative discussions that would further precisely define the project design. A pediatric cardiology wing has also been envisaged in the project to leverage the high-class infrastructure for pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery as well. It will promote collaboration not only for the Northeast but also for neighboring countries. Proton therapy is a high-precision radiation therapy for difficult cancers, and so far, there is only one privately run proton therapy center operating in the country. Over the past few years, the state of Assam has seen a steady rise in the number of cancer patients.

A special-purpose organization, the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), was created. A total of 17 cancer care hospitals were planned, and in the first phase, 10 hospitals are being constructed.

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