The Union Budget 2026-27 has further strengthened the Government of India’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure, specialised care and medical education across the country, with significant benefits for Assam and the North Eastern region. The latest announcements build upon the continuous and focused investments made in Assam over the past several years, transforming the State into a key healthcare hub.

Among the healthcare initiatives announced in the Budget is Biopharma SHAKTI (Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation), with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore over five years, aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities in biologics and biosimilars to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases. As part of this initiative, existing institutions such as NIPER Guwahati will be upgraded, contributing to research, innovation and skilled manpower development in the region.

The Budget has placed strong emphasis on mental health and trauma care, announcing the setting up of NIMHANS-2 and the upgradation of National Mental Health Institutes at Ranchi and Tezpur as Regional Apex Institutions. This will significantly enhance access to specialised mental healthcare services in Assam and the North East. In addition, Emergency and Trauma Care Centres will be established in District Hospitals, expanding emergency healthcare capacity by 50 per cent and providing timely care during medical emergencies.

These initiatives complement the transformational healthcare investments already undertaken in Assam in recent years. In April 2023, the Prime Minister inaugurated North East India’s first AIIMS at Guwahati, along with three new medical colleges at Nalbari, Nagaon and Kokrajhar. In March 2024, a Medical College and Hospital at Tinsukia was dedicated to the nation. In February 2024, foundation stones were laid for the upgradation of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and for a new medical college at Karimganj, further strengthening tertiary healthcare and medical education in the State.

Assam has also emerged as a major centre for cancer care. With seven cancer hospitals dedicated in April 2022 and foundation stones laid for seven additional cancer hospitals across districts including Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Tinsukia and Golaghat, the State is set to host the largest cancer hospital network in South Asia.

Overall, the Union Budget 2026-27 healthcare announcements, together with sustained central support over the past years, reflect a long-term and integrated approach to healthcare development in Assam, encompassing infrastructure creation, specialised treatment and emergency care, with enduring benefits for the people of Assam and the entire North Eastern region.

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