Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam has embarked on a transformative journey in healthcare, adopting an integrated approach that encompasses preventive, promotive, and curative care in his 4 years term. This comprehensive strategy has led to significant advancements across various facets of the state’s health sector. From the expansion of medical infrastructure and the introduction of universal health assurance schemes to pioneering cancer care initiatives and the integration of traditional medicine, Assam’s healthcare landscape is undergoing a remarkable evolution.
Universal Health Assurance
On May 10, 2023, the Assam government launched the Ayushman Asom-Mukhya Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AA-MMJAY), extending the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to all eligible National Food Security Act (NFSA) families. As of now, approximately 12.58 lakh beneficiaries have received treatment under this scheme, with 323 hospitals empanelled across the state. The number of daily beneficiary treatments under AB-PMJAY and AA-MMJAY has increased from 500 in 2020-21 to 1,800 in subsequent years. Hospital claims amounting to approximately Rs 1,536.35 crore have been disbursed to these empanelled hospitals. Additionally, around 1.73 crore e-KYC verifications and 1.20 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, with frontline workers receiving incentives totalling approximately Rs 9.02 crore for their efforts. In recognition of these achievements, Assam was awarded the “Ayushman Utkrishtata Award 2023” for the highest Ayushman card creation and best practices under AB-PMJAY.
Furthering its commitment to healthcare, the state government introduced the Ayushman Asom-Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (AA-MMLSAY) on October 2, 2023. This scheme facilitates online medical reimbursement for government employees, pensioners, and their dependents. To date, 2,17,901 registrations have been completed, with an average of 35 claims processed every hour since 2021. A total of 5,193 claims amounting to approximately Rs 31.15 crore have been reimbursed. The government is also working towards including fixed-pay, muster roll workers, and work-charged government employees under this scheme.
Expansion of Medical Infrastructure
Assam has witnessed a significant increase in the number of medical colleges, rising from seven in 2021 to 13 currently, following the commissioning of new institutions in Lakhimpur, Dhubri, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Nalbari, and Tinsukia. The Tinsukia Medical College was inaugurated on March 9, 2024. The Pragjyotishpur Medical College & Hospital (PMC&H) in Guwahati is set to commence operations from the academic session 2025-26, with an annual intake capacity of 100 MBBS seats. Construction of seven new medical colleges is underway in the districts of Charaideo, Sivasagar, Sreebhumi, Tamulpur, Dhemaji, Morigaon, and Golaghat, aiming to increase the total number of medical colleges in Assam to 21 by 2026-27.
To enhance specialised medical services, a Cardio-Neurosciences Centre and a Super Specialty Centre have been established at Guwahati Medical College, while a dedicated Super Specialty Centre has been initiated at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh. These centres are equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to provide high-end speciality treatments in cardiology, neurology, nephrology, urology, and other fields.
Advancements in Nursing Education
Recognising the importance of nursing in healthcare delivery, Assam has invested significantly in this sector. The number of B.Sc. Nursing Colleges have doubled from three to six, including the Barpeta Nursing College under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF). New nursing colleges have been established in Jorhat and Kokrajhar since 2023, each with an annual intake capacity of 60 students.
Cancer Care Initiatives
In collaboration with Tata Trusts, the Assam government launched the Assam Cancer Care Initiative, aiming to establish 17 cancer hospitals across the state. Currently, nine of these hospitals are operational in locations such as Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Silchar, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Tezpur, Kokrajhar, and Darrang. Seven of these centres were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in April 2022, marking one of the most extensive cancer care initiatives in the country.
Under the Community Outreach Program, 15,74,131 screenings have been conducted by ASHA workers, identifying 3,16,933 individuals for further evaluation. Training has been provided to 10,075 frontline health workers on cancer screening, government healthcare schemes, and home care for patients. Additionally, 2,821 medical personnel have been trained in early cancer detection, risk factors, and community-based screening. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has recognised the Assam Cancer Care Model and recommended its adoption in other states.
Enhancements in Medical Education
To promote inclusive medical education, the Assam government has increased the number of MBBS/BDS seats reserved for six communities under the OBC category. Seats for the Moran and Matak communities have increased from three to eight, Tai-Ahom from five to ten, Koch Rajbanshi from eight to 13, Chutia from four to nine, and TGL/Ex-TGL candidates from 18 to 30. Additionally, the number of seats allocated for the Royal Government of Bhutan has been increased from two to five. The reservation for OBC candidates in postgraduate medical courses has also been increased to 27 per cent, aligning with the Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) criteria. Furthermore, the stipend for junior doctors in medical colleges across the state has been increased by 15 per cent, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving working conditions in the medical education and healthcare sector.
Health Research and Innovation
The Assam government, in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, has initiated the Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII), a not-for-profit company aimed at implementing cutting-edge research in healthcare. Conceived as a state-of-the-art research institute with a 500-bedded hospital, AAHII will facilitate collaboration among doctors, engineers, and researchers to develop new technologies in the health sphere. The foundation stone for this project was laid by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in April 2023, and earth-filling of the site has been completed. Several advanced research projects have already been initiated under AAHII.
Infrastructure Development through Externally Aided Projects
To strengthen the healthcare infrastructure, Assam is implementing the Assam Health System Strengthening Project (AHSSP), funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with a project cost of Rs 3,798.33 crore. This project aims to improve access to quality medical services for rural residents by enhancing secondary and tertiary medical institutions.
Additionally, with assistance from the World Bank, the Assam government is executing the Assam State Secondary Healthcare Initiative for Service Delivery Transformation (ASSIST) Project at a total cost of Rs 2,566.81 crore. Under this project, construction has commenced for seven new district hospitals in Dudhnoi, Kaliabor, Sarukhetri, Azara, Narayanpur, Kaliapani, and Lakhipur. To improve the functioning and quality of existing district hospitals, quarterly internal performance grants have been initiated for 18 identified district hospitals, 18 joint DHS, MCH wings of seven medical colleges and hospitals, and five essential state entities.
Installation of Advanced Medical Equipment
In 2025, the Hon’ble Chief Minister inaugurated a Robotic Surgery Unit at the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati, established at a cost of Rs 15 crore. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of CT machines in the state increased from eight to 16, and MRI machines from six to ten. Advanced equipment such as PET-MRI machines, Gamma Cameras, Tomotherapy Units, TruBeam LINAC Machines, 3D C-Arms with DSA, Molecular Oncology Labs, and 3D TPS have been installed at the State Cancer Institute in Guwahati. A PET-CT machine was also installed at Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute in 2023 at a cost of Rs 13.14 crore. Furthermore, a Proton Therapy Centre is proposed for Guwahati, which will be the third such facility in India, following those in Apollo and Tata Medical Centre, marking another milestone in cancer care for the state.
Development of the AYUSH Sector
To strengthen the AYUSH sector, the Assam government has undertaken the recruitment of faculty at the Government Ayurvedic College & Hospital in Guwahati and other departments, bolstering the academic faculty and workforce to support the growing infrastructure and educational needs. Renovation and refurbishment projects have been carried out, including the Herbal Garden, PG Girls Hostel, College Boundary Wall, and the Canteen cum Guest.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure
The Assam Government has significantly bolstered its healthcare infrastructure over the past four years. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 500 Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) were successfully upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, well ahead of the Ministry of AYUSH timeline. Two 50-bedded Ayurvedic hospitals at Majuli and Dudhnoi were operationalized on 1st July 2023, marking a key milestone in expanding access to traditional and integrative medicine in the state.
Key Public Health Programs Under NAM, Assam
Under the National AYUSH Mission, Assam has launched several impactful programs. The “Ayurvidya” initiative was rolled out on March 8 2024, in collaboration with the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), covering all seven Aspirational Districts and Majuli to promote AYUSH-based education. The “Jivadhara” yoga therapy initiative for differently-abled children is currently active in six districts: Tinsukia, Nagaon, Kamrup Rural, Karbi Anglong, Bongaigaon, and Cachar. Furthermore, 31 Yoga & Wellness Centres are operational across districts, including central jails and institutions such as the Government Ayurvedic College and SJN Homoeopathic Medical College. An additional 18 centres are scheduled to be established in various health blocks, extending the reach of wellness services.
Free Dialysis Services
Under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP), Assam has ensured free hemodialysis for kidney patients. As of FY 2024–25, 53 Dialysis Centers equipped with 318 machines are functional, with 12 new centres and 41 new machines added in the current financial year. Since inception, 8,00,465 free dialysis sessions have been provided till February 20, 2025, significantly easing the financial burden on patients and families.
Chief Minister’s Free Diagnostic Services
Launched in FY 2017–18, the Chief Minister’s Free Diagnostic Services scheme ensures access to essential diagnostic services, including CT scans, X-rays, and laboratory tests, free of charge for all citizens. In FY 2024–25 (April to January), 2,80,898 patients availed CT scans, 8,43,163 accessed free X-rays, and 50,40,282 received laboratory services, including both in-house and outsourced labs. Since inception, 16,79,887 CT scans, 45,41,977 X-rays, and 1,43,74,756 lab tests have been provided free of cost.
Free Surgeries for Children with Congenital Heart Disease
Assam has also provided free surgeries for children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) under a specialised initiative. From 2021–22 to 2024–25, a total of 4,404 surgeries have been conducted. In the current FY alone, 1,251 surgeries have been completed as of February 21, 2025, and cumulatively, 12,659 children have benefited since the scheme’s inception.
SnehaSparsha & SnehaSparsha Plus
The SnehaSparsha initiative provides financial assistance for high-end treatments like bone marrow transplants, liver transplants, cochlear implants, and treatment of rare diseases. In FY 2024–25, 47 children benefited under this scheme, taking the cumulative total to 1,243 beneficiaries. Separately, SnehaSparsha Plus provides Rs 50,000 one-time assistance along with 36 monthly instalments of Rs 2,500 each to eligible families. As of February 21, 2025, 3,637 families received the one-time assistance, and 2,717 beneficiaries received regular instalments.
Assam Arogya Nidhi
Under the Assam Arogya Nidhi, families earning less than Rs 5 lakh annually receive up to Rs 3,00,000 for the treatment of critical diseases. In FY 2024–25 alone, 2,802 families were supported, with a total disbursement of Rs 1,915.73 lakh. Since its inception, the scheme has helped 6,353 families, with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 6,996.97 lakh.
Assam’s healthcare sector has witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation under the stewardship of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. The state’s commitment to universal health coverage, coupled with strategic investments in medical education, infrastructure, and technology, has laid a robust foundation for a healthier future. Collaborations with esteemed institutions and organisations have further amplified the state’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare services. As Assam continues on this path of holistic development, it stands as a beacon of progress, demonstrating how visionary leadership and integrated planning can revolutionize public health outcomes.
