AMCE achieves 1st open-heart surgery, pioneers SBRT in W/Africa
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has completed its first open-heart surgery and delivered West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. AMCE, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, achieved the milestones barely six months after it commenced operations in June, 2025. […]
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has completed its first open-heart surgery and delivered West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.
AMCE, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, achieved the milestones barely six months after it commenced operations in June, 2025.
Mr Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, at a briefing in Abuja, said the open-heart surgery involved a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), while the SBRT marked a pioneering advancement in cancer care in the sub-region.
“These achievements underscore the centre’s growing capacity to provide complex life-saving treatments in Africa and significantly reduce the need for Nigerians and other Africans to seek medical care abroad,” he said.
SBRT is an advanced radiosurgical technique that achieves surgical-level precision, without incision. The landmark SBRT case involved an octogenarian with a localised lung tumour, treated using sophisticated imaging, real-time motion tracking and personalised radiation planning.
Deaver said the successful completion of the CABG procedure placed AMCE among the few centres in Africa offering fully integrated cardiac care, from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery within one facility.
He said, “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.”
Deaver added that with the oncology systems, catheterisation labs and operating theatres fully operational, AMCE was closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality treatment.
By expanding its cardiovascular and specialised services, Deaver said the hospital was reinforcing its commitment to curb medical tourism by reversing the estimated $6–10bn Africans spent annually seeking treatment abroad and stem the long-standing brain drain of medical professionals by creating high-quality career opportunities within Africa’s borders.
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Aisha Umar, said the centre’s services were priced at less than 50 per cent of comparable care in the US, UK, Dubai or India, with patients paying in naira.
Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director, Export Development, Afreximbank, said, “The milestones demonstrate Afreximbank’s transformative impact of investing in world-class medical infrastructure on the continent.
“AMCE’s successful delivery of its first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment shows what is possible when we build capacity locally.
“It reduces dependence on outbound medical tourism, helps retain vital clinical expertise and strengthens Africa’s health ecosystem.”