It was with a great sense of pride that Prime Minister the Right Hon. Perry G. Christie, officially opened The Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean, June 26th, at the Medical Pavilion, St. John’s Medical Centre, St. John’s, Antigua.

“It is with profound joy and overwhelming pride that I join you today, speaking with the voice of the entire Caribbean brotherhood as we celebrate the grand opening of The Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean here in beautiful Antigua, “ said Mr. Christie.” This facility represents the realization of years of planning and diligent effort by partners in the public and private sectors across geographical and geo-political boundaries cooperating with united purpose and singular vision.”

Mr. Christie also commended Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne for ‘recognizing’ the value of the facility not only for Antiguans but also for citizens of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

“I cannot stress enough the importance of the buy-in and partnership of the governments of all OECS members in ensuring this facility represents a vital sub-regional resource.”

He lauded the efforts of Bahamian Cardiologist, Dr. Conville Brown, whose vision he said epitomizes a model citizen trying to make a difference: “I would also like to commend my dear friend, Dr. Conville Brown, a visionary physician and trailblazer who embraced the challenge to expand the partnered care model as a means of providing affordable access to advance healthcare for all, irrespective of the ability to pay,” he said.

“Today, we celebrate a tremendous example of what targeted collaboration, when sustained by resolute political will and decisive leadership can accomplish for the benefits of everyone at every station and stage of life.

Chairman and CEO of the Centre, Dr. Brown said that he was delighted to have been built the Centre based on the model of the Cancer Centre located in New Providence. “On this auspicious occasion, I am delighted that I was invited by the former Prime Minister of Antigua, Hon. Winston Spencer to create this centre, followed by Rt. Hon. Gaston Browne to continue with plans to build the centre in Antigua,” said Dr. Brown.

“This facility will afford citizens of the OECS with the opportunity to have affordable health care within the region and will save governments and private insurance companies millions of dollars in healthcare costs.”

Mr. Christie said that every year more than 1,000 persons are diagnosed in the countries that comprise the Eastern Caribbean. Until the opening of the facility, citizens of the OECS had no option that offered both surgical intervention and radiation therapy for patients who required these services during the course of their disease.

The Cancer Centre fills this void and will assist in meeting the rising cost of healthcare driven in part by advances in 21st century medical technologies. “Speaking plainly, cost has become a barrier for many with respect to obtaining the most effective screening and treatments for cancer, which means that we must looked for new treatments and technologies or continue to feel the prick of conscience as we see poor outcomes for too many patients across this region when faced with a cancer diagnosis.

According to the National Institutes of Health and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, 400,000 annual deaths are attributable to hypertension and slightly less than 300,000 annual deaths are attributable to obesity, alcohol and tobacco in the Caribbean and Latin America. According to the data, half of cancer-related deaths in the Americas occur in the Caribbean and Latin America.