AIIMS Jammu first govt hospital to offer affordable pan-India genomic testing

Jammu, Sep 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, according to an AIIMS Jammu spokesperson, 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, and 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.

The initiative is guided by a clear mission: to provide advanced genomic diagnostics at a fraction of the conventional cost, thereby making precision medicine accessible to a wider cross-section of Indian families. “The project not only strengthens cancer diagnostics in the public sector but also sets a precedent for similar collaborations across other AIIMS and medical institutions in the country,” the spokesperson said.

Prof. (Dr) Shakti Gupta, Executive Director and CEO of AIIMS Jammu, shared that plans were 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 and 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 recognised as a Made in India DeepTech innovation. It ensures that test results are tailored to the unique genetic makeup of Indian patients,” the CEO stated.

Dr Gupta highlighted the increasing burden of inherited and rare disorders in India, underscoring the urgent need to extend genomic diagnostic services to a broader range of health issues.

“In this direction, 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 personalises cancer treatment will also help diagnose rare genetic disorders and guide family health planning,” Dr Gupta said.

“This expanded mandate includes key areas such as women’s health – with gene-carrier screening for couples, newborn screening for early detection of rare genetic disorders and evaluation of unexplained infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss,” he said.

Neurological disorders are addressed by providing genetic insights into epilepsy, developmental delays, and rare neurological syndromes. In cardiology, the focus is on identifying inherited heart conditions like cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, as well as assessing sudden cardiac arrest risk in young individuals.

Paediatric care involves diagnosing congenital anomalies, growth delays, and metabolic disorders to enable timely intervention. Testing for inherited eye diseases includes retinitis pigmentosa, congenital blindness, and other hereditary retinal conditions.

“The idea is to significantly shorten the prolonged diagnostic issues faced by many families dealing with unexplained health issues. Early and accurate diagnosis not only improves treatment outcomes but also facilitates informed family planning, reducing emotional and financial strain,” Dr Gupta said.

He remarked, “The collaboration between AIIMS Jammu and 4baseCare exemplifies the transformative potential of public–private partnerships in delivering world-class healthcare at affordable costs.”

Echoing this, Hitesh Goswami, co-founder and CEO of 4baseCare Precision Health Private Limited, said, “This initiative shows how Indian innovation can effectively tackle domestic health challenges while matching global standards. India is rapidly emerging as a global leader in precision medicine—an approach that tailors healthcare to each individual’s unique genetic blueprint rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.”