The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bathinda is taking a big step to improve cancer care in Punjab and nearby states. The institute is looking for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to set up a proton beam therapy (PBT) centre. This advanced technology will help treat cancer with more precision and fewer side effects.

Aiming for Advanced Cancer Treatment

Proton beam therapy is a modern form of radiation treatment. Unlike traditional X-ray radiation, which can harm both cancer and healthy tissues, proton therapy targets only the tumour. It uses high-energy protons that stop at the tumour, sparing nearby healthy organs. This makes it safer, especially for children and for tumours near important body parts like the brain or spine.

AIIMS Bathinda plans to buy a proton therapy machine worth about ₹500 crore. The institute is talking to agencies in Singapore and Italy to get the best equipment. If successful, AIIMS Bathinda will become the first public hospital in India to offer this treatment. This centre will help not only Punjab but also Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and other nearby areas.

Making Cancer Care Better and Closer

At present, many cancer patients from the Malwa region and nearby states have to travel far for advanced treatments. Some even go to private hospitals in big cities, which can be expensive. By setting up a proton therapy centre, AIIMS Bathinda will make world-class treatment available locally and at a lower cost.

Dr Meenu Singh, the executive director of AIIMS Bathinda, says proton therapy is very useful for hard-to-treat tumours. It works well for cancers in the head, neck, prostate, and for children. Because it targets only the tumour, patients have fewer side effects and a better quality of life.

The hospital already offers other modern treatments like IMRT, IGRT, SRS, and SBRT. Adding proton therapy will complete their range of cancer care. Patients will get surgery, medicine, and radiation treatments all in one place. The centre will also help with research and training for doctors.

Why Proton Therapy Matters

Proton therapy is special because it delivers most of its energy at a specific point inside the body, called the Bragg peak. After that, the protons stop, so there is little damage to healthy tissues. This is important for tumours close to the brain, eyes, spinal cord, or reproductive organs.

Studies show that proton therapy causes fewer side effects and reduces the risk of new cancers later in life. It is also better for children, whose bodies are still growing. For some cancers that do not respond well to normal radiation, proton therapy can be more effective.

However, proton therapy is still rare in India because it is expensive and needs special equipment. By using CSR funds, AIIMS Bathinda hopes to make this advanced treatment available to more people, especially those who cannot afford private care.