The government’s plan to reopen the Antigua and Barbuda Cancer Centre has been delayed due to challenges in removing outdated medical equipment.
Director of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maurice Merchant, said the process requires specialized professionals, which has taken longer than expected.
“It remains a priority to have the centre operational, because currently the government is funding patients’ treatment overseas,” he said.
Merchant confirmed that an agreement on the centre’s management is already in place, and work will move ahead once the old equipment is safely cleared.
Opened in 2009, the cancer centre was once a key regional facility offering radiation and oncology services. Operations slowed in recent years due to aging equipment and staffing issues, forcing many patients to seek care abroad.
The refurbishment is part of a wider effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and restore access to local cancer treatment. Merchant reaffirmed that reopening the facility remains a top government priority.
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I wish our reportes will stop calling it Antigua Cancer Centre. It was never Antigua’s to begin with and it certainly is not ours now.
Get your facts right and report facts.
One delay after the other. Hopefully it will be up soon
Five thoughtful questions that a concerned citizen might ask after reading this article — specifically looking at the point about maintenance and accountability:
1. Why was the Cancer Centre allowed to fall into disrepair in the first place, given its importance to national and regional healthcare?
2. What measures or best practices will be implemented to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the facility once it reopens, so that this situation doesn’t repeat itself?
3. How much funding has been allocated for the refurbishment and ongoing operation, and how will the government ensure transparency in the use of these funds?
4. What is the timeline for reopening, and what specific milestones must be completed before the centre becomes fully functional again?
5. Will the reopened centre offer the same range of oncology and radiation services as before, or will there be upgrades and new technologies to improve patient care?
#concernedcitizen Natasha E Bramwell