FCT: AMCE records two historic clinical breakthroughs

Barely six months after opening its doors, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has recorded two historic clinical breakthroughs, further redefining the standard of advanced healthcare delivery in West Africa.

The quaternary-level medical facility has successfully completed its first open-heart surgery—a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)—and delivered West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. Both milestones mark a major leap in the region’s capacity to deliver highly specialised, life-saving care locally.

AMCE is a world-class tertiary hospital developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London. The latest achievements underscore the Centre’s strategic mission to close critical gaps in Africa’s healthcare ecosystem while significantly reducing the need for outbound medical travel.

ALSO READ: NDIC begins liquidation of Aso Savings, Union Homes after CBN revokes licences

Building on earlier outpatient and inpatient milestones, AMCE’s clinical teams have rapidly expanded the Centre’s ability to deliver high-acuity care across cardiovascular medicine and oncology.

On the oncology front, AMCE successfully administered the region’s first SBRT for lung cancer—an advanced, non-invasive radiosurgical technique that delivers surgical-level precision without incision. The landmark case involved an elderly patient with a localised lung tumour, treated using sophisticated imaging, real-time tumour motion tracking, and highly personalised radiation planning.

In cardiovascular medicine, AMCE continues to scale its interventional and surgical capabilities. Within its first six months of operation, the hospital has performed more than ten successful cardiac procedures, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The successful completion of its first CABG places AMCE among the select few centres in Africa offering a fully integrated cardiac care pathway—from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery—under one roof.

Commenting on the achievements, Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, said the milestones represent a defining moment for healthcare delivery on the continent.

“Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment marks a major turning point for AMCE and for African healthcare,” Deaver said. “These successes reflect the exceptional skill, dedication, and collaboration of our multidisciplinary teams. With our oncology systems, catheterisation laboratories, and theatres fully operational, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality care and enabling patients to receive life-saving treatment close to home. Our commitment remains unwavering—to invest in people, technology, and infrastructure so Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”

Also speaking, Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development at Afreximbank, said the milestones validate the Bank’s strategic investment in advanced medical infrastructure.

“AMCE’s successful delivery of its first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment demonstrates the transformative impact of building world-class healthcare capacity locally,” Doherty said. “These achievements reduce reliance on outbound medical tourism, help retain vital clinical expertise, and strengthen Africa’s broader health ecosystem. AMCE is ushering in a new era of health dignity for Africans, and Afreximbank is proud to support its continued leadership in complex and innovative care.”

AMCE disclosed that preparations are ongoing for additional complex cardiovascular procedures, including valve repairs and replacements. By steadily expanding its specialised services, the Centre is reinforcing efforts to reverse the estimated US$6–10 billion Africans spend annually on medical treatment abroad, while also curbing the long-standing brain drain of skilled healthcare professionals.

The facility currently offers a wide range of services, including cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medical services. It has an initial capacity of 170 beds, with plans to expand to 500 beds. AMCE also houses the region’s largest stem cell laboratory, 15 post-stem cell isolation rooms, and three catheterisation laboratories, alongside cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic equipment such as an 18 MeV cyclotron, 3-Tesla MRI, 256-slice CT scanners, brachytherapy systems with iridium sources, and advanced biosafety laboratories.

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, is a US$300 million, fully operational, quaternary-level, multi-specialty hospital developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital London.

Since opening in June 2025, AMCE has been delivering world-class specialist care while setting new benchmarks for clinical excellence, patient outcomes, and medical innovation across Africa.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE