The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, only six months after opening in June, has recorded two major clinical breakthroughs, completing its first open-heart surgery and delivering West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer, marking a significant step in expanding access to advanced healthcare on the continent.
The world-class tertiary hospital, developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, successfully carried out a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedure and treated a lung cancer patient using SBRT, a highly precise radiosurgical technique that achieves surgical-level accuracy without incision. The achievements significantly reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for complex medical care.
The milestones build on earlier outpatient and inpatient advances as AMCE rapidly expands its capacity to deliver high-acuity cardiovascular and oncology care. In oncology, the Centre’s SBRT delivery involved an octogenarian with a localised lung tumour, supported by advanced imaging, real-time motion tracking and personalised radiation planning.
In cardiovascular medicine, AMCE has performed more than ten cardiac interventions in its first six months, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions and percutaneous coronary interventions. The successful CABG procedure now places the hospital among a limited number of African centres offering a fully integrated cardiac care pathway, from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery within a single facility.
Together, the developments reinforce AMCE’s long-term objective of reversing outbound medical tourism and retaining specialist talent by providing world-class infrastructure, technology and training environments within Africa.
Commenting on the milestones, AMCE Chief Executive Officer Brian Deaver said, “Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment represents a defining moment for AMCE and for healthcare on the continent. These milestones reflect the exceptional skill and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that patients can access the most advanced cancer and cardiac care right here in Africa.
“With our oncology systems, Cath labs, and theatres fully operational, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality treatment and enabling people to receive life-saving care close to home. Our commitment remains steadfast: to invest in our people, technology, and infrastructure so that Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”
Afreximbank’s Managing Director for Export Development, Oluranti Doherty, said the achievements highlighted the impact of strategic investment in healthcare infrastructure. “AMCE’s successful delivery of its first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment demonstrates the transformative impact of Afreximbank’s investment in world-class medical infrastructure.
“These achievements show what is possible when we build capacity locally, reducing the continent’s dependence on outbound medical tourism, retaining vital clinical expertise, and strengthening Africa’s broader health ecosystem. AMCE is advancing a new era of health dignity for Africans, and we are proud to support its continued leadership in complex and innovative care.”
AMCE is preparing patients for additional complex cardiovascular procedures, including valve repairs and replacements, as it continues to expand specialised services aimed at reducing the estimated US$6–10 billion Africans spend annually on medical treatment abroad and addressing the long-standing brain drain in the health sector.
The Centre currently offers cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology and general medical services. It has a capacity of 170 beds, with plans to expand to 500, and houses the region’s largest stem cell laboratory, fifteen post-stem cell isolation rooms, and three catheterisation laboratories. Its advanced diagnostic and treatment infrastructure includes an 18 MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla MRI, 256-slice and 128-slice CT scanners, a brachytherapy machine with iridium source, and multiple biosafety cabinets.
