Amsterdam gets a new, commercial cancer institute for 375 patients. The negotiations are nearly finished between the German owner Rehamed and the city.

Stricking is that Amsterdam already houses many cancer centres, like the AMC, the VUmc and the specialised NKI-Antoni van Leeuwenhoekziekenhuis (with 180 beds).

A representative of the NKI-AvL says to be a great advocate of a new cancer institute, however is wondered by the location. Amsterdam has a surplus of hospital beds. The NKI wants to enlarge, but does not get the funds needed from the health insurances. A spokesman of the Dutch Health Insurances calls the new institute a fine example of market forces.

The new institute will be a part of not yet established cancer institutes in European countries, among which Germany, Sweden, Portugal, Turkey and Italy. Philips will supply the necessary medical equipments.

Director Lex de Lange of investment company Zernike, that is responsible for the relations of Rehamed in the Netherlands, says that the current waiting list of  5 to 8 weeks will diminish by the new International Comprehensive Cancer Institute (ICCI). The institute will be operational in 2010 or 2011.

The owner Rehamed is established in Frankfurt and develops clinics. the land agreements will costs nearly 16 million euro, builing the facility will cost 150 to 160 million euro. The hospital will be located at the formally Shell property on the IJ in Amsterdam-Noord and will contain a laboratory, research facilities, a hotel and a park. According to a spokesman the district Amsterdam-Noord is rounding up the agreements at the moment and is very eager to house the new hospital.

Source: NRC Handelsblad