Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, inaugurated several significant healthcare facilities in Assam, including the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, Golaghat Cancer Centre, and Tinsukia Cancer Centre, with the objective of enhancing the state’s medical infrastructure. At the inauguration event, Shah commended Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for the substantial initiatives taken by the state government towards achieving self-sufficiency in healthcare.
Shah highlighted Sarma’s vision of creating a comprehensive healthcare ecosystem in Assam, which aims to ensure that patients do not need to seek treatment outside the state. He conveyed that Sarma intends to develop a healthcare system where no patient is required to travel out of state for medical care. Additionally, Shah emphasized that the state government aspires to establish Assam as a medical hub for neighboring regions, thereby attracting patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in adjacent states and throughout the Northeast to access quality medical treatment.
In his address, Shah noted the historical challenges faced by patients from Assam and other northeastern states, who previously traveled as far as cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi for specialized medical services, particularly for cancer treatment. The newly inaugurated institutions are set to ease this burden by providing localized treatment options, improving access to specialized healthcare services, and alleviating the financial and emotional strains associated with long-distance travel for medical care. These facilities are anticipated to significantly enhance healthcare accessibility for patients both within Assam and the broader Northeastern region.
