Dibrugarh, Aug 27, 2025, Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh has been officially recognized as a Centre of Excellence for rare diseases. The announcement marks a significant step for healthcare in the Northeast, ensuring better diagnosis, research, and treatment facilities for patients struggling with rare conditions.
Assam Medical College’s new recognition
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared that AMCH’s recognition comes under the framework of the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021. The decision aims to expand advanced medical infrastructure in Assam, reduce dependency on metropolitan hospitals, and provide affordable care closer to home for patients across the region.
Rare diseases often go undiagnosed for years due to limited expertise and testing facilities. With AMCH’s upgraded status, patients in Assam and neighboring states will have access to specialized care, genetic testing, and multidisciplinary treatment.
National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021
The National Policy for Rare Diseases (NPRD) 2021 plays a crucial role in this recognition. The policy guides medical institutions to establish specialized centers across India, focusing on research, patient support, and clinical trials.
Under NPRD 2021, selected institutes receive central government funding to strengthen infrastructure, set up rare disease registries, and provide financial support for high-cost treatments. AMCH’s inclusion is expected to bring these benefits directly to Northeast India.
According to official estimates, over 70 million Indians suffer from rare diseases, many of which are genetic and life-threatening. The policy ensures better coordination between central and state governments while addressing affordability concerns.
Boost for healthcare in Northeast India
Health officials highlighted that AMCH’s new status will reduce the need for patients to travel to New Delhi, Bengaluru, or Mumbai for advanced treatment. The Northeast region has long struggled with accessibility gaps in healthcare, making this recognition a turning point.
Dr. Anurag Sarma, a senior faculty member at AMCH, said that the institution will now be able to focus on specialized facilities such as genetic counseling, newborn screening, and advanced molecular diagnostics. He added that collaborations with other national research centers will strengthen research on rare diseases that are often neglected due to low prevalence.
Patient care and community support
The government emphasized that patient welfare remains the top priority. AMCH will soon set up a dedicated counseling and support center for families dealing with rare diseases. Awareness campaigns, training programs for doctors, and collaboration with non-governmental organizations will also form part of the strategy.
Many rare diseases require long-term treatment with expensive medicines. Under the policy framework, eligible patients may receive partial financial assistance, depending on the category of their illness.
Families battling conditions like Gaucher’s disease, Pompe disease, and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) are expected to benefit from these reforms. The support system will also focus on mental health care, considering the stress faced by caregivers.
Research and innovation prospects
AMCH’s recognition opens doors to more funding for medical research in the Northeast. Medical experts note that most rare disease studies in India remain limited to major research hubs. With this step, Assam could emerge as a hub for rare disease research. And, contribute valuable data to India’s national health registry.
Collaboration with biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies, and international medical institutions is expected to enhance treatment options. Training local doctors and researchers will also ensure that expertise grows within the region. Preventing brain drain and dependency on outside specialists.
Government’s broader vision
The Assam government has been focusing on strengthening healthcare infrastructure in recent years. Besides, the recognition of AMCH as a Centre of Excellence is part of a broader vision to decentralize advanced medical care.
Chief Minister Sarma stressed that the state’s long-term goal is to ensure that no patient is denied treatment due to financial or geographical barriers. By upgrading AMCH, Assam positions itself as a key medical hub for the entire Northeast.