HARYANA: Proton Therapy, an expensive treatment for cancer patients, will soon be available at the newly built National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Haryanas Jhajjar district. NCI will be the first government-run hospital to offer the service.

Dr GK Rath, Head IRCH AIIMS and NCI mentioned that the service will be rolled out after 18 months at a minimal charge. He added that until now, only Apollo Chennai offers Proton Therapy treatment and it costs Rs 25 lakh. At NCI, it will be provided for a minimal charge, while those under PMJAY will be able to avail the service free of cost.

Proton Therapy is an advanced cancer treatment in which only the cancer cells are targeted and the rest of the body remains unharmed, unlike chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Dr Rath also mentioned that this therapy is effective for all and the treatment can be given even to children with no adverse effect on their growth.

The NCI, Indias largest cancer institute, was officially opened for public service on Tuesday. The formal inauguration was done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conference while Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda was present at the NCI campus along with ministry officials and AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria.

This 710-bed hospital has been built at a cost of Rs 2,035 crore, and has 1,080 hostel rooms for doctors and 800 rooms for attendants of patients. In December last year, OPD services were started on a trial-basis at the institute.

The project was approved by the Cabinet on December 26, 2013, and the hospitals foundation stone was laid on January 3, 2014 by the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.