Plans for the construction of a multimillion- dollar international health centre in Barbados are moving closer to reality, with Government preparing to ask Parliament for approval to lease the site of the old St Joseph Hospital to investors.
Minister of Housing Michael Lashley is set to move the passing of a resolution to approve the lease of the 21.5 acres of land at Ashton Hall, St Peter, to American World Clinics Barbados Limited (AWC).
The property will be leased for a period of 25 years, with an option to renew for a further 25 years.
The centre, which is expected to open in 2014, will house a $160 million hospital, clinic, health and wellness services, recovery facilities and other related facilities in health sciences and biotechnology for international visitors and locals.
Patients will be treated by board-certified American-trained specialists and their Canadian, European and Barbadian counterparts.Meantime, AWC is planning more physician visits to Barbados, following some successful trips last year.
A one-day meeting for physician staff development and to learn more about AWC Barbados is scheduled for April 21. another physical staff development trip, which will include a tour of the St Peter site and presentations on living and working in Barbados, is planned for May 13-15. (DP)
