Bengaluru: Proposing to set up a proton therapy centre at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), the govt has sought financial assistance from the Centre. Medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil submitted a proposal to Union health minister JP Nadda, requesting Rs 500-crore grant to establish the facility. KMIO handles over 21,000 new cancer cases annually.The proposed facility will introduce proton therapy — a targeted form of radiation treatment known for its ability to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissues while treating tumours. “Unlike conventional radiotherapy using gamma rays or X-rays, proton therapy delivers precise radiation to the tumour site with reduced impact on nearby organs. It is estimated that over 1.2 lakh patients in India may require proton therapy by 2025. The facility at KMIO will also support referral cases from Nimhans and Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health,” Patil said in his letter.