AIIMS Rajkot Unveils ₹39-Crore Radiotherapy Facility
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated a ₹39-crore advanced radiotherapy facility at AIIMS Rajkot to transform regional oncological care. This landmark addition significantly expands tertiary cancer treatment for over 1.54 crore citizens across Saurashtra and Kutch. Previously, patients had to travel hundreds of kilometres to Ahmedabad or Mumbai for complex radiation therapies. Therefore, this establishment will provide timely, localised, and life-saving interventions.
Technological Capabilities of the Advanced Radiotherapy Facility
The newly established radiation oncology wing features high-precision therapeutic equipment. Specifically, it houses a High Energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC) that supports multiple modalities. Clinicians can now perform Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). Furthermore, the department can deliver Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) alongside Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT).
These state-of-the-art tools deliver therapeutic ionizing radiation with millimetre-level precision. Consequently, clinicians spare adjacent healthy tissues and critical organs during high-dose curative regimens. In addition, the centre features a Wide Bore CT Simulator that streamlines 3D radiation planning. The department also deploys a High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Unit. This brachytherapy system provides targeted internal radiation for gynaecological cancers, head and neck malignancies, and soft tissue sarcomas.
Integration with Comprehensive Oncology Services
AIIMS Rajkot integrates this radiation unit within a robust multidisciplinary framework. As a result, radiation oncologists work closely with surgical oncologists and medical oncologists. The facility expects to treat 500 to 700 complex cancer cases annually. Moreover, patients receive comprehensive care without needing inter-hospital transfers.
In addition, this development aligns closely with the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized that this expansion supports the goals of the National Health Policy 2017. Furthermore, the institute ensures that financial barriers do not impede timely care. Beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme will access treatments free of cost. Meanwhile, other patients will receive therapeutic procedures at highly subsidised rates.
Strengthening Early Detection and Screening Pathways
Primary cancer prevention remains critical alongside tertiary equipment expansion. Health Minister Nadda highlighted extensive national screening programmes running through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Consequently, frontline centres have screened over 37.7 crore people for oral cancer since 2018. These initiatives successfully detected approximately 2.5 lakh oral cancer cases at treatable stages.
Additionally, providers have screened 17.7 crore women for breast cancer, identifying 95,000 cases. Screening teams also evaluated 9.8 crore women for cervical cancer, confirming nearly one lakh positive cases. Furthermore, national registries indicate that 90 per cent of diagnosed cancer patients now initiate therapy within 30 days. Establishing regional radiotherapy hubs ensures that diagnosed patients seamlessly transition from grassroots screening to curative interventions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What advanced technologies are available at the AIIMS Rajkot radiation oncology department?
The facility houses a High Energy Linear Accelerator (LINAC), a Wide Bore CT Simulator, and a High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy Unit. These tools enable precise techniques such as IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, SRS, and SBRT.
Q2: How does the new facility benefit patients under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
Eligible Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY beneficiaries receive advanced radiation therapies completely free of cost. In addition, non-beneficiary patients can access all radiotherapy treatments at heavily subsidised governmental rates.
Q3: How many patients will the new AIIMS Rajkot radiotherapy wing serve annually?
The centre anticipates managing between 500 and 700 oncology patients each year. Consequently, it eliminates the need for long-distance travel to distant tertiary cancer hubs.
References
- Nadda inaugurates advanced radiotherapy facility at AIIMS Rajkot - ETHealthworld
- Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda inaugurates Advanced Radiotherapy Facility at AIIMS Rajkot. November 2026.
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Overview and AIIMS Expansion. 2026.
