Antigua and Barbuda is on the verge of a significant milestone in local healthcare, as work on the long-awaited Cancer Centre Antigua enters its final stages of completion.
According to Antigua.news, the government has confirmed that refurbishment of the facility is nearing completion, marking transformative progress in the country's capacity to diagnose and treat cancer locally, reducing the need for patients to seek costly treatment abroad.
The project was not without its setbacks. Previous owners launched legal challenges following the acquisition of the property, causing notable delays. While those matters remain unresolved, sufficient progress has been made to allow construction and refurbishment work to continue moving forward.
The scope of the project also proved far more extensive than originally anticipated. Major upgrades were required to the building's electrical systems, data infrastructure, and specialised equipment areas. Procurement of custom-built components — including specialised air-conditioning and chiller units needed for the facility's Linear Accelerator (LINAC) bunker — contributed to further delays.
Despite these challenges, Cabinet confirmed that major pieces of equipment have already been secured. A new Elekta Versa Linear Accelerator (LINAC) and an advanced Oncology CT Scanner equipped with laser precision integration technology have been purchased and are awaiting shipment to Antigua and Barbuda. Both items will be transported once the bunker is fully prepared to facilitate immediate installation and commissioning.
The Elekta Versa LINAC represents cutting-edge cancer treatment technology. Beyond conventional radiotherapy, the system is capable of delivering Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT), a highly advanced treatment that administers concentrated doses of radiation with exceptional precision while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The technology has the potential to dramatically shorten treatment periods — reducing therapy courses that traditionally span three weeks to less than one week in some cases.
Preparations are also underway to ensure the centre is fully staffed upon opening. Key clinical personnel, including a Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Physicist, and Radiation Therapist, have already been identified and are being integrated into the programme.
The Cancer Centre Antigua is expected to begin providing treatment services in early Fall. Once operational, the facility will offer patients access to world-class cancer care within Antigua and Barbuda, sparing families the financial and emotional burden of overseas treatment during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. The centre is widely expected to become a critical pillar of the nation's healthcare system and a landmark advancement in improving health outcomes for citizens and residents across the twin-island nation.
