Only six months after opening in June, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja is transforming healthcare in West Africa, achieving two major clinical firsts.
Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, AMCE recently completed its first open-heart surgery—a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)—and introduced West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. The facility also installed advanced medical technology including an iridium brachytherapy machine, four biosafety cabinets, and 128-slice computed tomography scanners. These milestones highlight AMCE’s goal of offering life-saving, complex treatments locally, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad.
Advanced Cancer Care in Africa
AMCE’s oncology team recently treated an octogenarian with a localized lung tumor using SBRT, a non-invasive technique that delivers surgical-level precision with highly personalized radiation planning, real-time motion tracking, and sophisticated imaging. This achievement marks the first time this advanced therapy has been delivered in West Africa, positioning AMCE as a regional leader in cancer care.
Cutting-Edge Cardiac Services
In cardiovascular care, AMCE has performed over ten successful cardiac procedures in its first six months, including coronary angiographies, pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The hospital’s first CABG surgery now places it among a select group of African centers providing a fully integrated cardiac care pathway—from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery—all under one roof.
Building Africa’s Health Capacity
AMCE’s milestones reflect a broader mission: reversing the trend of outbound medical tourism, retaining Africa’s top medical talent, and strengthening local health infrastructure. The facility is preparing for further complex procedures, including valve repairs and replacements, and offers services across cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medicine.
Brian Deaver, CEO of AMCE, said: “Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment marks a defining moment for AMCE and healthcare in Africa. Our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure patients can access world-class care close to home. By investing in people, technology, and infrastructure, we are closing long-standing gaps in treatment and ensuring Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”
Oluranti Doherty, Afreximbank’s Managing Director of Export Development, added: “AMCE’s achievements show the transformative impact of investing in local medical infrastructure. By building capacity at home, we reduce reliance on medical tourism, retain skilled professionals, and strengthen Africa’s healthcare ecosystem. This is a new era of health dignity for Africans.”
State-of-the-Art Facilities
AMCE currently has 170 beds, with plans to expand to 500, and features the region’s largest stem cell laboratory, three catheterization labs, fifteen post-stem-cell isolation rooms, an 18 Mev cyclotron, 3 Tesla MRI, 256-slice CT scanner, and brachytherapy machine with iridium source.
Through these investments, AMCE is set to curb the estimated US$6–10 billion Africans spend annually on medical travel abroad, while creating high-quality local career opportunities for medical professionals.
Related topic：
