Barely six months after opening its doors, the African Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has recorded two landmark clinical breakthroughs, further redefining the standard of advanced healthcare delivery in West Africa.
The quaternary-level medical center successfully completed its first open heart surgery, a complex triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), and administered West Africa’s first stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. Both milestones mark a huge leap in the region’s ability to provide highly specialized, 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 Center’s strategic mission to close critical gaps in Africa’s healthcare ecosystem while significantly reducing the need for medical travel abroad.
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Building on previous outpatient and inpatient milestones, AMCE clinical teams have rapidly expanded the Center’s capacity to provide high-acuity care in cardiovascular medicine and oncology.
On the oncology front, AMCE successfully delivered the region’s first SBRT for lung cancer – an advanced, non-invasive radiosurgical technique that offers surgical-grade precision without an incision. The landmark case involved an elderly patient with a localized lung tumor, treated using sophisticated imaging, real-time tumor motion tracking, and highly personalized radiation planning.
In cardiovascular medicine, AMCE continues to expand its surgical and interventional capabilities. In its first six months of operation, the hospital has performed more than ten successful cardiac procedures, including coronary angiograms, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The successful completion of its first CABG places AMCE among the select few centers in Africa that offer 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, CEO of AMCE, said the milestones represent a watershed moment for healthcare delivery on the continent.
“Performing our first open heart surgery and first SBRT treatment in West Africa 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, cath labs and operating rooms fully operational, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality care and enabling patients to receive life-saving treatments close to home. Our commitment remains unwavering: investing in people, technology and infrastructure so that Africans no longer need to travel abroad to receive the highest standards of care.”
Also speaking, Oluranti Doherty, general manager of 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 developing 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 revealed that preparations are underway for additional complex cardiovascular procedures, including valve repairs and replacements. By steadily expanding its specialized services, the Center is strengthening efforts to reverse the estimated $6 billion to $10 billion that Africans spend annually on medical treatment abroad, while stemming the long-standing brain drain of qualified health professionals.
Currently, the center offers a wide range of services, including cardiovascular care, hematology, comprehensive oncology and general medical services. It has an initial capacity of 170 beds, with plans to expand to 500 beds. AMCE is also home to the region’s largest stem cell laboratory, 15 post-stem cell isolation rooms, and three catheterization laboratories, in addition to cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic equipment such as an 18 MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla MRI, 256-slice CT scanners, iridium source brachytherapy systems, and advanced biosafety laboratories.
The African Medical Center of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, is a fully operational US$300 million quaternary-level multi-specialty hospital, developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London.
Since opening in June 2025, AMCE has provided world-class specialty care while setting new benchmarks for clinical excellence, patient outcomes and medical innovation across Africa.
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