AMCE Records Historic Firsts with Open-Heart Surgery and West Africa’s First SBRT Treatment

Just six months after opening its doors in June, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja is already reshaping the landscape of advanced healthcare in West Africa, recording two historic clinical breakthroughs. The state-of-the-art tertiary hospital, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, has successfully performed its first open-heart surgery—a highly complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)—and delivered West Africa’s first-ever Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.

These landmark achievements highlight AMCE’s mission to deliver complex, life-saving treatments on the continent and significantly reduce the need for Africans to seek specialised medical care abroad.

Following earlier milestones in outpatient and inpatient services, AMCE’s clinical teams have rapidly scaled the hospital’s capacity to provide high-acuity care in both cardiovascular medicine and oncology.

In oncology, AMCE pioneered SBRT treatment for lung cancer in West Africa. This cutting-edge radiosurgical technique delivers surgical-level precision without the need for incisions. The first case involved an elderly patient with a localised lung tumour, treated using advanced imaging, real-time motion tracking, and highly personalised radiation planning.

On the cardiovascular front, AMCE has steadily expanded its interventional and surgical capabilities. Within its first six months of operation, the hospital has completed more than ten successful cardiac procedures, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The successful CABG procedure now positions AMCE among a small group of African facilities offering a fully integrated cardiac care pathway—from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery under one roof.

Together, these accomplishments reinforce AMCE’s commitment to delivering world-class, patient-centred cancer and cardiac care in West Africa. They also advance the Centre’s long-term goal of reversing outbound medical tourism and mitigating the brain drain of healthcare professionals by providing the infrastructure, technology, and professional environment required to support Africa’s top specialists.

Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, described the milestones as transformative:
“Completing our first open-heart surgery and delivering West Africa’s first SBRT treatment marks a defining moment for AMCE and for healthcare across the continent. These successes reflect the exceptional expertise and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams. By making advanced cancer and cardiac care available locally, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to quality treatment and ensuring patients can receive life-saving care close to home. Our focus remains on continuous investment in people, technology, and infrastructure so Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”

Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development at Afreximbank, added that the milestones demonstrate the impact of strategic investment in healthcare infrastructure.
“AMCE’s achievements show what is possible when capacity is built locally. They reduce reliance on medical travel, retain critical clinical expertise, and strengthen Africa’s health ecosystem. This project represents a new era of health dignity for Africans, and Afreximbank is proud to support AMCE’s leadership in complex and innovative care.”

AMCE is also preparing patients for additional advanced procedures, including valve repairs and replacements. By continuing to expand its cardiovascular and specialised services, the hospital is reinforcing efforts to curb the estimated US$6–10 billion spent annually by Africans seeking medical treatment overseas, while creating high-quality career opportunities that help retain medical professionals within the continent.

The Centre currently offers services in cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medicine. With an existing capacity of 170 beds and plans to expand to 500, AMCE 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, multiple high-slice CT scanners, a brachytherapy unit with iridium source, and advanced biosafety facilities.

Since opening in June 2025, AMCE has positioned itself as a US$300 million, fully operational quaternary-level hospital setting new benchmarks for clinical excellence, innovation, and patient outcomes across Africa. Beyond treatment, the Centre is driving job creation, skills development, research, and knowledge transfer—contributing to a more self-reliant, resilient, and healthier future for the continent.