AIIMS Rajkot radiotherapy services received an upgrade with a new advanced cancer treatment facility in Gujarat. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) facility adds to India’s health infrastructure developments.
Quick answer: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated the AIIMS Rajkot radiotherapy facility on 3 November 2026. Established for about ₹39 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, it aims to improve access to specialised cancer treatment. The facility could benefit approximately 1.54 crore people across Saurashtra.
AIIMS Rajkot radiotherapy: key facts
The facility combines specialised radiation equipment with other cancer services at AIIMS Rajkot. Its radiation oncology department has provided radiotherapy and chemotherapy since 29 May 2026.
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Funding scheme | Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana |
| Estimated cost | Approximately ₹39 crore |
| Potential reach | Around 1.54 crore people in Saurashtra |
| Initial treatment estimate | Approximately 500–700 patients per year |
The estimate covers patients with head and neck, breast, bone, soft-tissue and gynaecological cancers. The department also works with chemotherapy and surgical services, allowing patients to access different treatments at one institution.
What equipment does the facility use?
AIIMS Rajkot radiotherapy uses a linear accelerator, a computed tomography (CT) simulator and a brachytherapy unit. Radiotherapy uses radiation to treat cancer; these devices support its delivery and planning.
- Linear accelerator: The high-energy machine supports techniques that deliver radiation to affected areas with millimetre-level precision.
- Wide-bore CT simulator: It helps clinicians prepare a three-dimensional treatment plan.
- High-dose-rate brachytherapy: This unit provides targeted internal radiotherapy for gynaecological, head and neck cancers, sarcomas and other tumours.
Additionally, the accelerator supports intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy. These are among the advanced techniques listed for the facility.
Who can benefit and what will treatment cost?
The facility aims to serve Saurashtra and Kutch, with an estimated reach of 1.54 crore people in Saurashtra. Its listed catchment includes Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Morbi, Surendranagar, Gir Somnath, Devbhumi Dwarka and Botad districts.
Eligible beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana will receive free cancer treatment at AIIMS Rajkot. Other patients will receive treatment at concessional rates.
Why does the upgrade matter?
The upgrade brings specialised cancer treatment closer to people who previously had to travel to cities such as Ahmedabad and Mumbai. It also complements screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, where early detection can help patients seek treatment sooner.
According to the minister, screening since 2018 covered approximately 37.7 crore people for oral cancer, 17.7 crore women for breast cancer and 9.8 crore women for cervical cancer. These are screening counts, not counts of confirmed cases.
Source: Press Information Bureau, 3 November 2026
State PCS General Studies may test cancer screening, access to specialised treatment and the role of health schemes. Candidates can also revise how primary screening connects patients to higher-level care.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of the new radiotherapy facility at AIIMS Rajkot?
Approximately ₹39 crore. The facility was established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana.
Who gets free cancer treatment at AIIMS Rajkot?
Eligible Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana beneficiaries receive free cancer treatment. Other patients will receive treatment at concessional rates.
What is brachytherapy used for at the facility?
Brachytherapy provides targeted internal radiotherapy. For example, the facility can use it for gynaecological and head and neck cancers.
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