Prime Minister Gaston Browne updates Parliament on opening of Cancer Center

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The reopening of Antigua and Barbuda’s Cancer Center has been delayed due to challenges in acquiring specialized medical equipment, Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed.

Speaking in Parliament, Browne said the facility is currently undergoing renovations and the new owners have procured updated equipment from abroad.

However, the arrival of these essential medical devices is expected to take another 60 to 90 days, further pushing back the center’s operational timeline.

“It’s not easy to acquire this type of equipment,” Browne explained. “These are specialized devices that cannot simply be purchased off the shelf. The procurement process takes time, but we are aware that orders have been placed.”

As part of the upgrades, outdated radiation therapy equipment at the facility will be removed. The government is working with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure the safe disposal of radioactive materials, Browne said.

“The Minister of Health is making arrangements to bring in experts to oversee the removal process,” he told Parliament. “Proper disposal is crucial, as we do not have the expertise locally to handle such materials.”

The opposition pressed for details on the new owners of the Cancer Center and whether they were linked to a company recently scrutinized in a New York Times article.

While Browne acknowledged that a company within the group had been referenced in the report, he maintained that the technology in question was still in use and had shown positive results in treating cancer patients.

The facility, which has faced multiple setbacks in recent years, is expected to offer advanced cancer treatments once fully operational. However, no definitive opening date has been set.

Health advocates have called for greater transparency on the center’s ownership structure and the services it will provide. The delay also raises concerns for cancer patients in need of urgent treatment, with many forced to seek care abroad.

Officials say efforts are ongoing to expedite the installation of new equipment and finalize the necessary regulatory approvals to bring the facility back into service.

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