By Joseph Erunke, Abuja

Six months after opening its doors, the African Medical Centre of Excellence,AMCE, Abuja, has recorded two landmark medical breakthroughs that are reshaping the landscape of advanced healthcare in West Africa.

The world-class tertiary hospital has successfully performed its first open-heart surgery,a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting,CABG,and delivered West Africa’s first-ever Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy ,SBRT, for lung cancer, marking a major leap in the region’s capacity to treat life-threatening conditions locally.

Developed by the African Export-Import Bank,Afreximbank,in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, AMCE said the milestones underscore its mission to provide complex, life-saving treatments on the continent and significantly reduce the need for Africans to seek medical care abroad.

In oncology, the hospital achieved a regional first with the delivery of SBRT, an advanced, non-invasive radiosurgical technique that offers surgical-level precision without incisions.

The pioneering procedure was performed on an elderly patient with a localised lung tumour, using cutting-edge imaging, real-time motion tracking and highly personalised radiation planning.

On the cardiovascular front, AMCE’s cardiac team has rapidly scaled its capacity to deliver high-acuity care.

Within its first six months of operation, the hospital has carried out more than 10 successful cardiac interventions, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions and percutaneous coronary interventions,PCI.

The successful CABG procedure now places AMCE among the few centres in Africa offering a fully integrated cardiac care pathway,from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery,under one roof.

Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, speaking at a press briefing hosted at the AMCE facility in Abuja, where the hospital unveiled its latest oncology and cardiology milestones, marking a new chapter in advanced specialist care across West Africa, described the twin achievements as a defining moment for healthcare delivery on the continent.

“Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment represents a major milestone for AMCE and for Africa,” Deaver said.

“These successes reflect the exceptional skill and dedication of our multidisciplinary teams and our commitment to ensuring Africans can access the most advanced cancer and cardiac care close to home.”

He added that with oncology systems, catheterisation laboratories and operating theatres now fully operational, AMCE is closing long-standing gaps in access to quality healthcare while investing in people, technology and infrastructure to reverse outbound medical tourism.

Also commenting, Managing Director, Export Development at Afreximbank, Mrs. Oluranti Doherty, said the achievements demonstrated the transformative impact of investing in world-class medical infrastructure on the continent.

“These milestones show what is possible when we build capacity locally,reducing dependence on overseas treatment, retaining critical clinical expertise and strengthening Africa’s health ecosystem,” she said. “AMCE is advancing a new era of health dignity for Africans.”

AMCE disclosed that it is already preparing patients for additional complex procedures, including valve repairs and replacements, as it continues to expand its cardiovascular and specialised services.

The hospital said its long-term objective is to help reverse the estimated $6–10 billion Africans spend annually on medical treatment abroad, while also curbing the brain drain of medical professionals.

Currently operating with a 170-bed capacity and plans to expand to 500 beds, AMCE offers key services in cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology and general medicine.

The facility boasts the region’s largest stem cell laboratory, 15 post-stem cell isolation rooms, three catheterisation laboratories and advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies, including an 18 MeV cyclotron, 3 Tesla MRI, 256-slice CT scanners and brachytherapy systems.

Since opening in June 2025, the $300 million quaternary-level hospital has positioned itself as a hub for complex care, medical innovation and specialist training, helping to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and set new benchmarks for clinical excellence across Africa.