In a significant leap for public cancer care, Karnataka has unveiled plans to establish India’s first government-run proton therapy center at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bengaluru. Backed by a ₹500 crore proposal submitted to the central government, the facility is set to bring cutting-edge radiation therapy within reach for thousands of patients.
Proton therapy is known for its precision in targeting tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue — a major advantage in treating sensitive areas like the brain, spine, and pediatric cancers.
Health Minister Sharan Prakash Patil recently met Union Health Minister JP Nadda to advocate for the funding. Officials emphasized that this advanced treatment option would especially benefit complex and hereditary cancer cases and reduce the burden on patients referred from institutions such as NIMHANS.
Once operational, the center is expected to cater to over 1.2 lakh patients annually by 2025, marking a major milestone in equitable access to high-end cancer care.