Puerto Rico to build $196M cancer treatment center

Puerto Rico is building a $196 million cancer treatment center that will provide services including chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants.

Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla says the 12-story center is scheduled to open in April 2016. It will feature eight specialized surgery rooms. He said the center also will pursue scientific investigations and cater to the needs of people living in Puerto Rico as well as Latinos living in the U.S.

The center in the San Juan suburb of Rio Piedras and is being built with public funds.

Garcia said Wednesday that more than 1,300 jobs will be created during the construction phase and another 750 jobs once it opens.