Pursuant to the purposes established in this chapter, the Center shall have the following duties and powers:
(a) Subscribe the necessary affiliation agreements with the University of Puerto Rico so as to integrate all educational, research and statistical services relative to the incidence of cancer in Puerto Rico and achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(b) Prepare a research agenda directed towards searching for answers to the questions that arise related to the incidence of cancer among Hispanics, and particularly, among Puerto Ricans.
(c) Foster and help to develop clinical physicians specialized in oncology and related disciplines, as well as health professionals and researchers devoted to the study of the causes and treatment of cancer in Puerto Rico.
(d) Develop a model to coordinate and integrate the existing clinical services available to cancer patients in Puerto Rico.
(e) Subscribe the affiliation agreements deemed necessary through a memorandum of understanding with the Dr. I. González Martínez Oncological Hospital.
(f) Maintain an updated register of cancer incidence and mortality in Puerto Rico.
(g) To establish plans through collaborative agreements with other entities, whether private or public, to offer screening tests for gynecological, breast, prostate, and other types of cancer on a massive scale under acceptable practices; and to coordinate for the proper referral and treatment of patients diagnosed with cancer.
(h) Establish and adopt suitable mechanisms for evaluating, approving, suspending or revoking the privileges to practice at the facilities of the Center.
(i) Draft and approve its own regulations.
(j) Establish its own administrative structure with its own operational regulations to make flexible or expedite administrative procedures related to the recruitment and contracting of personnel, procurement, budgeting and negotiating contracts with public and private entities.
(k) Adopt an official seal.
(l) Take money on loan from any financing source, including private institutions as well as those from the Government of Puerto Rico and the Government of the United States.
(m) Have full control and supervision of all equipment and facilities of the Center.
(n) Determine the location of the facilities of the Center.
(o) Sue and be sued.
(p) Negotiate and execute all types of contracts, agreements and public or private instruments with natural or juridical persons, including municipalities, Commonwealth and federal government agencies, public corporations and other entities in order to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(q) Appoint, contract and designate administrative and scientific personnel needed to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(r) Purchase all materials and equipment needed to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(s) Solicit, receive and accept funds, gifts, legacies or bequests, and private, federal, Commonwealth and municipal donations and those of any other kind.
(t) Carry out by itself or by contracting construction, improvements, expansion, extension or repair works needed by the Center to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
(u) Own, acquire and transfer real and personal property and mortgage or lease any of the latter with their rights and privileges within the limits allowed by law. The authority to own real and personal property shall include the right to acquire the same through gift, legacy or bequest.
(v) Establish collaboration agreements with other public or private academic or medical entities to achieve the purposes of this chapter.
History —Aug. 26, 2004, No. 230, § 5; Mar. 12, 2010, No. 23, § 1.