Antigua and Barbuda’s long-awaited cancer treatment centre is expected to open this fall after delays caused by legal disputes and other issues beyond the government’s control, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show , Browne said the facility is in its final stages, with all major medical equipment already procured.

“We hope to open in the fall of this year,” Browne said.

He acknowledged that the project has taken longer than expected but said the delays stemmed from factors outside the government’s control.

“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 setbacks, Browne said the government has completed the procurement of equipment needed to operate the facility.

“All the modern equipment and so on have been purchased for the cancer centre,” he said.

The prime minister also provided an update on the country’s new renal unit, saying it is nearing completion and should be ready to open within the next one to two months.

Browne said both facilities are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to expand access to specialized healthcare services and improve medical treatment available to residents of Antigua and Barbuda.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Cancer Centre Expected to Open This Fall.