Antigua and Barbuda's long-awaited cancer treatment centre is expected to open this fall, Prime Minister Gaston Browne announced Saturday, signalling progress on a facility that has faced years of delays.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the announcement during an appearance on the Browne and Browne Show, stating that the facility is now in its final stages of preparation with all major medical equipment already procured.
"We hope to open in the fall of this year," Browne said.
The prime minister acknowledged that the project has taken considerably longer than anticipated, attributing the setbacks to factors outside the government's control, including legal challenges from previous parties involved in the project.
"Unfortunately, [it was] delayed for many reasons—reasons beyond our control. We've had issues with the previous buyers. They took us to court and all kinds of foolishness," Browne said.
Despite those obstacles, Browne confirmed that procurement of the necessary equipment has been completed. "All the modern equipment and so on have been purchased for the cancer centre," he said.
Browne also provided an update on the country's new renal unit, noting that it is nearing completion and should be ready to open within the next one to two months.
The prime minister framed both facilities as part of the government's broader push to expand access to specialised healthcare and improve the standard of medical treatment available to residents of Antigua and Barbuda.
