Govt of India Declares Assam Medical College as Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases

The Government of India has taken a significant step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the Northeast by designating Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Rare Diseases. This recognition has been granted under the provisions of the National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD), 2021.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through its Rare Disease Cell, issued an official memorandum on Tuesday, formally approving AMCH as one of the premier tertiary-level government hospitals in the country to be equipped with dedicated facilities for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of rare diseases. This inclusion positions AMCH among a select list of just 15 medical institutions nationwide that enjoy this special designation.

The recognition is historic for the Northeast, as AMCH is the first institution in both Assam and the broader Northeastern region to be named a Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases. This makes the medical college a crucial hub for specialized healthcare services in an area that has long faced challenges related to accessibility, affordability, and availability of advanced treatment facilities.

Rare diseases, often genetic or complex in nature, affect a small percentage of the population but require highly specialized care and expertise for diagnosis and management. In India, the treatment and management of such diseases have traditionally been limited to a few top institutions in metropolitan cities. With AMCH joining the network of Centres of Excellence, patients from Assam and other Northeastern states will no longer need to travel long distances to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru to access specialized care.

According to the memorandum, AMCH will carry out its responsibilities in line with the NPRD, 2021, which outlines a comprehensive framework for rare disease management in the country. The policy covers aspects such as early screening and diagnosis, financial support for treatment, research promotion, and collaboration between institutions. The Ministry has also stated that AMCH will be guided by additional instructions and guidelines it issues from time to time.

The designation is expected to significantly boost medical research and academic activities at AMCH. Experts believe that being a Centre of Excellence will provide opportunities for doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals in Assam to engage in advanced research on rare and complex diseases, which are often under-studied due to their low prevalence. This, in turn, will contribute to building a knowledge base that can guide future treatment protocols and healthcare strategies at the national level.

Furthermore, the move is seen as a recognition of AMCH’s growing importance as a medical institution in the region. Established in 1947, AMCH is one of the oldest and most reputed medical colleges in Eastern India. Over the years, it has played a central role in training doctors, serving patients from across Assam and neighboring states, and contributing to public health improvements.

The Centre of Excellence designation will now enhance AMCH’s capacity to deliver specialized patient care. It is expected to directly benefit thousands of patients suffering from rare diseases in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and even neighboring countries like Bhutan. By reducing the need for costly and time-consuming travel to distant metropolitan hospitals, the recognition will also ease the financial and emotional burden on families dealing with such diseases.

In conclusion, the Government of India’s decision to designate Assam Medical College & Hospital as a Centre of Excellence for Rare Diseases marks a milestone in the region’s healthcare landscape. It reflects a broader effort to decentralize advanced healthcare facilities and ensure that people in remote regions like the Northeast gain access to world-class treatment. By combining patient care, academic training, and advanced research, AMCH’s new role as a CoE is expected to transform rare disease management not only in Assam but across the entire Northeastern region.