No deal yet between Gov’t and Cancer Centre shareholder, but Cabinet is having state of medical equipment assessed

There appears to be no end in sight to the dispute involving the
Government

and the majority shareholder of the Eastern Caribbean Cancer
Centre.

The Government was given notice that the centre would close its
doors at the end of April this year (2023). Accordingly, it decided to
take over the operations so that patients could continue to receive
treatment here, instead of abroad.

However, a dispute arose over the sale price. The majority
shareholder is asking US$15 million (or EC$40 million) for the
building and equipment, but the Browne Administration has
rejected that figure, claiming it is too high.
 
Instead, the Government says its valuator has estimated the Centre’s
worth at between EC$6 million and EC$9 million. 
The Administration has already gone to Parliament and passed
legislation to acquire the Cancer Centre by eminent domain,
declaring that if its offer is not accepted it will utilize this option.
  
This week’s Cabinet Notes indicate that settling this issue is
important to the Government, since the facility has remained closed
for months and patients are having to go abroad to seek the
treatment that used to be provided here.
 
In the meantime, the Ministry of Health reportedly has invited the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to measure radiation
and assess the health of the machines that have not been utilized in
a long time and might have deteriorated.  
 
If this impasse is not settled soon, it may become more costly for the
Government, which will have to purchase new and costly
equipment.

At present, the Centre remains in receivership, with the shareholder
having appointed the accounting firm of Pannell Kerr Foster to
provide oversight of the affairs of the Michael’s Mount medical
facility.
 
Reportedly, bankruptcy proceedings have also begun.