Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 27: In a significant stride towards advancing precision medicine in India, the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu has emerged as the first Government-run hospital in the country to offer state-of-the-art genomic testing services at affordable rates to patients across the nation.
The initiative, a part of the AIIMS Jammu-4baseCare Centre for Advanced Genomics and Precision Medicine, was conceived earlier this year and has since made notable strides in clinical implementation. In a span of just a few months, the Centre has successfully delivered 125 genomic reports of cancer patients across more than 15 cancer types-including lung, breast, ovarian, and stomach cancers-marking a critical leap in affordable and accessible cancer care.
The Centre received cases from across the States, from public and private hospitals including Apollo Hospital in Karnataka, AIIMS Delhi and Bhubaneswar, Fortis Hospital in Delhi, and Jaipur-based SMS Hospital, to name a few.
The Centre is a result of a pioneering collaboration between AIIMS Jammu and Bengaluru-based health-tech firm 4baseCare, with support from Infosys. It was formally inaugurated on February 2, 2025, by Union Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh.
According to Prof Shakti Gupta, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, plans are underway to expand the Centre’s services beyond oncology to encompass other complex diseases, furthering its role in personalised medicine and preventive healthcare. “Traditionally, advanced genomic tests for cancer were sent abroad, costing between Rs 3 to Rs 5 lakh, while domestic providers charged Rs 1.5 to Rs 2.5 lakh. Our Centre has drastically reduced these costs to nearly one-fourth, opening the doors for many more patients to benefit,” he said.
At the heart of this initiative is Indiegene, India’s first population-specific cancer gene panel, developed through indigenous research and recognized as a Made in India DeepTech innovation. It ensures that test results are tailored to the unique genetic makeup of Indian patients.
The Centre plans to provide genomics-based differential diagnosis for rare and inherited diseases, positioning itself as a reference centre for India and neighbouring countries. The same advanced technology that personalizes cancer treatment will also help diagnose rare genetic disorders and guide family health planning.
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