The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), has recorded major clinical breakthroughs with the successful completion of its first open-heart surgery and the delivery of West Africa's first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. The world-class tertiary hospital, developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afriximbank) in partnership with King's College Hospital, London, said the open-heart procedure involved a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). It also disclosed that over the past six months, it has carried out more than 10 cardiac interventions, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, AMCE’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian Deaver, described the achievements as a turning point for healthcare delivery in Africa. “Delivering its first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment represented a defining moment for AMCE and for healthcare on the continent,” he said.
Deaver noted that only six months after its opening in June, the 170-bed facility was rapidly expanding its capacity to deliver high-acuity care in cardiovascular medicine and oncology. “Only six months since its opening in June this year, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja is redefining top-class medical care in West Africa, achieving two ground-breaking clinical milestones,” he said.
On oncology services, Deaver said AMCE successfully delivered the region’s first SBRT for lung cancer, describing it as a highly advanced radiosurgical technique that offers surgical-level precision without incision. He explained that the landmark case involved an octogenarian with a localised lung tumour treated using advanced imaging and personalised radiation planning.
In cardiovascular care, Deaver said the completion of the first CABG meant the centre now provides a fully integrated cardiac care pathway, from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery within one facility. He added that these developments were already reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
“Together, these achievements underscore AMCE’s commitment to world-class, patient-centred cancer care in West Africa and accelerates its long-term goal of reversing outbound medical tourism and averting brain drain,” Deaver said, adding that many cases now handled locally would previously have required costly overseas care.
Also commenting, Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development at Afreximbank, said, “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.” She added that the hospital was helping to curb the estimated US$6–10 billion spent annually by Africans on medical treatment abroad while strengthening the continent’s health ecosystem.
