Three decades of ethical, compassionate, and affordable care in Upper Assam
Referral Hospital & Research Centre is a 79-bed secondary care hospital in Chabua, run on a strictly non-profit basis by the APPL Foundation.
Our History
Referral Hospital and Research Centre (RHRC), a 79-bed secondary care hospital, was conceptualized by Tata Tea Ltd in 1989 and set up at Chabua Tea Estate by Tata Tea in 1994. Since 2021, RHRC has been part of the APPL Foundation, an irrevocable trust formed in 2011 with the dominant objective of the welfare of the general public in distress.
RHRC offers treatment at minimal cost to the general public and works on a non-profit basis. Through its sustained and ethical medical practices, RHRC has earned a good reputation not only locally but also in the neighbouring states of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, from where patients come seeking better medical care. It is the only healthcare centre in the region with SA8000 certification, and the hospital has also been accredited with NABH in 2024 and NABL in 2025.
Since 2007, RHRC has treated over 6,00,000 patients, of which over 5,00,000 have been non-employee patients. The mission of the hospital is to provide the best secondary medical care at affordable cost in the region.
Three decades, at a glance
“The mission of the hospital is to provide the best secondary medical care at affordable cost in the region.”
Certifications & accreditations
Governed by the APPL Foundation
RHRC operates under the APPL Foundation, an irrevocable trust formed in 2011 with the dominant objective of the welfare of the general public in distress. The Foundation upholds the hospital's non-profit ethos, ensuring every rupee of surplus is reinvested into patient care, equipment, and community health programmes.
This governance model, alongside SA8000 certification for social accountability, reflects RHRC's commitment to ethical labour practices and transparent, community-first healthcare.
From the Desk of the Chief Medical Officer
On behalf of everyone at RHRC, I extend a warm welcome to you.
For three decades, our mission has remained steadfast — to provide quality secondary healthcare that is accessible and affordable to every family in Upper Assam, while upholding the highest standards of ethics, dignity, and compassion.
At RHRC, we believe that healthcare is not merely about treating illness; it is about caring for people with empathy, respect, and responsibility. Our commitment to ethical medical practice and continuous improvement guides every aspect of the care we provide.
Our standards are reflected in the accreditations and certifications we have earned through rigorous external evaluation, including NABH accreditation, NABL certification, and SA8000 certification. These standards reinforce our commitment not only to clinical quality and reliable diagnostics, but also to creating a safe, respectful, and responsible workplace for our staff.
Our dedicated team of clinicians, nurses, paramedics, and support staff works round the clock to ensure that our patients receive timely and compassionate care. With our 24×7 services and dedicated departments, we strive to be there for our patients whenever they need us most.
RHRC serves patients not only from Chabua and Dibrugarh, but also from across Upper Assam and neighbouring regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. We recognise the trust that patients and their families place in us, often during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. We consider it our privilege and responsibility to honour that trust through sincere service, clinical excellence, and compassionate care.
As we look to the future, we remain committed to strengthening our services, embracing continuous learning and improvement, and ensuring that quality healthcare remains within the reach of the communities we serve.
Thank you for placing your trust in RHRC. We are here for you, today and always.
Hospital tour
