The government has expressed an interest in acquiring the Eastern Caribbean
Cancer Centre, located adjacent to the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre following its
closure slated for the end of the month.
According to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister, Lionel Max
Hurst, the US$15 million bill which the principal owner of the facility, Dr.
Conville Browne, seeks to gain, is quite excessive and the government is not able
to pay that amount.
“The object of the government is to acquire the facility so that Antiguans and
Barbudans who currently receive treatment there, as well as those from the
neighbouring islands may continue to do so. The challenge we face is that cost
which he is demanding is much higher than we are prepared to pay or can afford.
So, we are looking for alternate arrangements in the meantime. This means we
have to negotiate a cost that is reasonable and one which the government can
afford,” Hurst stated.
The Chief of Staff revealed that Health Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph had informed
the cabinet on Wednesday, of arrangements that have been put in place to ensure
the care of cancer patients undergoing treatment at the centre currently, will have
continued care after the centre closes.
“Those patients will have an opportunity to travel outside of Antigua and Barbuda
at the expense of the Medical Benefits Scheme, to continue their specialized care,”
Hurst emphasized.
Hurst said the government is mindful that some patients may be too sick or may
reach a point where they are too sick to endure the rigours of travel, and that is
why the government is keen to have a solution to the matter as soon as possible, for
the benefit of all.
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