PM inaugurates linear accelerator at Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati

Guwahati, Apr 20 (ANI): Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Friday inaugurated the state-of-the-art linear accelerator with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, image-guided radiation therapy and SRS/SRT facilities at the Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute in Guwahati.

Assam Governor J. B. Patnaik, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) and NEC Chairman Paban Singh Ghatowar and State Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma were also present on the occasion.

Dr. Singh was also briefed about the revitalization project phase-IV (RPP-IV) for up-gradation of Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute to a centre of excellence at a total cost of Rs.197.49 crores.

Dr. Borooah Cancer Institute was established on November 18, 1973 and Government of India recognized it as a regional cancer centre in year 1980.

Later on, the Government of Assam took over the management of the institute from the board of trustee in 1986 while retaining its autonomy. The institute is being developed as an institution of excellence and has all the modern infrastructure facilities and experts for cancer treatment.

The institute has a 200 bedded hospital spread over a plot of land measuring 15 acres. It has, in addition, a 100 bedded guest house for ambulatory patients. About 8500 new patients and 50,000 old patients visit the institute every year.

Considering the fact that the number of trained technical staff in the field of oncology is limited in the north eastern region, the institute has also started various teaching and training programmes in this field. (ANI)