In a landmark announcement on January 25, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled a ₹3,679 crore healthcare transformation project that promises to reshape the state’s public health landscape. The initiative focuses on addressing long-standing gaps in infrastructure, specialist care, diagnostics, and digital connectivity particularly in rural and remote districts while building on Assam’s recent gains in health outcomes under schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Atmanirbhar Assam.

The project includes the establishment of 10 new medical colleges to increase undergraduate and postgraduate seats, easing the acute shortage of doctors in the state. Several district hospitals will be upgraded to 500–1,000 bed facilities with super-specialty blocks in cardiology, neurology, nephrology, and oncology. Dedicated cancer hospitals and day-care chemotherapy units will be set up in key locations, supported by advanced diagnostic tools such as linear accelerators, PET-CT scanners, and high-throughput labs.

A major component is the expansion of digital health services, including full integration with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), deployment of telemedicine hubs in every block, and AI-enabled tools for early disease detection and chronic care management. The budget also allocates funds for strengthening primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) with point-of-care diagnostics, solar power backup, and improved connectivity.

The Chief Minister highlighted the human impact during the announcement: “Assam has made remarkable progress in health indicators, but we must go further. This ₹3,679 crore investment will ensure that no patient has to travel outside the state for advanced treatment, and that quality care reaches every village and tea garden.”

The project will be implemented in phases over the next 3–5 years, with priority given to underserved districts in Upper Assam, Barak Valley, and Bodoland Territorial Region. It is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs in healthcare delivery, medical education, and allied services while reducing out-of-pocket expenditure for families.

The announcement has been welcomed by healthcare professionals, patient groups, and industry stakeholders, who see it as a model for other northeastern states facing similar geographic and demographic challenges.