Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Assam has beaten the national average for maternal mortality. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan confirmed the drop on Sunday, September 6, during a convocation ceremony at Srimanta Sankardeva University of Health Sciences in Guwahati. He called the shift a milestone for the state. Radhakrishnan expects Assam to soon become a medical hub where outsiders travel for treatment.
The Vice President credited India's healthcare gains to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He cited the Ayushman Bharat scheme, noting that over 44 crore people hold insurance cards under the program. He also praised the national response to COVID-19, specifically the distribution of free vaccines at home and the export of doses to more than 100 countries. “The last decade of health sciences in India has been outstanding due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Future expansion plans are already in motion. Gauhati Medical College and Hospital will soon host a Proton Beam Therapy Unit. Officials believe this facility will cement the region as a primary destination for advanced cancer care. During his address, Radhakrishnan warned graduating students about the dangers of substance abuse. He urged them to cut back on social media and led the attendees in a formal pledge against drugs.
Updated at 7th September 2026 at 1:48am
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pushed a massive infrastructure build at the same event, announcing the state has grown its network from three medical colleges to 14. He has set a target to open a medical college in every district across Assam. Nine facilities are currently under construction in Charaideo, Biswanath Chariali, Golaghat, Morigaon, Tamulpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Sribhumi, and Goalpara. Officials have also greenlit projects for Bajali, Hailakandi, and Hojai, with talks underway for another in Majuli.
Outside the classroom, the state government is chopping red tape to speed up local business. Sarma announced the removal of all licence requirements for petroleum products. The move aims to cut regulatory headaches and lure fresh investment by making the state a smoother place to do business.
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