Above: a rendering of the new centre (Photo: ABG)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua and Barbuda will break ground this coming week on the new Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean at the Mount St John Medical Centre facility.

The centre, which is the brainchild of Antiguan Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, is a joint venture between Global Health Partners, Ltd, the government of Antigua and Barbuda, the governments of the OECS and the MEI Healthcare Corporation.

Spencer first expressed the desire to partner with the private sector on the development of a cancer centre in 209.

The facility will provide medical, radiation and surgical oncology services, with discounts for government-supported patients.

“In addition, the Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean will aim at enhancing cancer services at government hospitals within the OECS through the hosting of regular oncology clinics, [developing] cost-effective and safe chemotherapy services, provide oversight and expertise in the various islands and provide major cost savings to partner governments,” Spencer said. “This, I believe, is major progress in this field within the OECS.”

Antigua’s government will play a regulatory role in the construction and management of the facility, and provide a safety net for those who need to use the facility without the means to do so, according to the government.

The facility is being constructed at a cost of just under $5 million.