Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated an advanced radiotherapy facility at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rajkot. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art radiation therapy technologies and will improve access to specialized cancer care for people across Rajkot and Saurashtra.
On November 2, 2026, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, inaugurated and dedicated the Advanced Radiotherapy Facility at AIIMS Rajkot. The facility was established with an investment of approximately ₹39 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda emphasized that cancer imposes a significant burden on patients and their families. He highlighted the importance of timely treatment and stated that no person should be deprived of quality cancer care because of their location or financial circumstances.
The new facility is particularly beneficial to people from Saurashtra and Kutch, who previously had to travel to distant cities such as Ahmedabad and Mumbai for specialized treatment. Shri Nadda described it as a major step towards improving access to cancer care in the region.
Shri Nadda also highlighted the expansion of AIIMS under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, noting that India has progressed from one AIIMS in New Delhi to 18 operational institutions out of 22. He emphasized the need for seamless linkages across levels of healthcare to ensure patients receive appropriate treatment.
Shri Nadda underscored screening initiatives undertaken through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and cited findings from a Lancet report indicating that 90 per cent of cancer patients begin treatment within 30 days. He attributed this improvement in timely access to treatment, in part, to the expansion of financial protection through Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Source:
Press Information Bureau
