Cabinet has approved a 'sweet heart' sale.

Some 20 acres (approximately 8.14 hectares) of sugar lands at Bernard Lodge will be divested, by way of sale to the Heart Institute of the Caribbean for $60 million.

The announcement was made, during Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House.

Daryl Vaz, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for information and telecommunications, said the institute proposes to construct a permanent facility for cardiac diagnostic and treatment services as well as a clinical education and research centre.

Institute approached us

In a later interview, Vaz said it was the institute that approached the Government about purchasing the lands. He added that the deal was subject to all the requisite divestment procedures. The deal was approved by Cabinet on Monday.

Dr Ernest Madu, chairman and chief executive officer of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, told The Gleaner he was not immediately able to comment on the Cabinet approval of the pending purchase.

The institute is located at 23 Balmoral Avenue in St Andrew with a branch in Mandeville, Manchester. Another branch is located in George Town, Cayman Islands.

tyrone.reid@gleanerjm.com