AMCE Abuja Carries Out First Open-Heart Surgery

•Delivers first body radiation therapy for cancer in West Africa

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja said it had successfully completed its first open-heart surgery, a complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), and delivered the region’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.

A world-class tertiary medical facility developed by African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, AMCE said it had also successfully performed over 10 cardiac interventions, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, who led other senior hospital management team to an interactive session with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, said, “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.”

AMCE’s key services include cardiovascular services, haematology, comprehensive oncology, and general medical services.

The facility has a current capacity of 170 beds with a plan to expand to 500 beds.

Among the high-level operational team at AMCE that made presentations during the session were Clinical Director of Cardiovascular Services, Dr Mohamed Ibrahim; AMCE Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Anshul Govila; Chief Medical Officer, Dr Aisha Umar; and Clinical Director, Oncology, Dr. Boules Gabriel.

Deaver said the successful landmark procedures recorded by AMCE marked the strengthening of Africa’s capacity for complex cardiac care, reducing reliance on overseas medical travel

Deaver said, “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.

“These achievements underscore AMCE’s commitment to providing complex, life-saving treatments in Africa, significantly reducing the critical need for medical travel abroad.

“Building on the quaternary hospital’s recent outpatient and inpatient landmark advancements, AMCE’s clinical teams have rapidly expanded the Centre’s capability to deliver high-acuity care across both cardiovascular medicine and oncology.”

On the oncology front, Deaver said AMCE had successfully delivered West Africa’s pioneer SBRT for lung cancer, a highly advanced radio surgical technique that achieves surgical-level precision without incision.

According to him, the milestone case involved an octogenarian with a localised lung tumour who received treatment enabled by sophisticated imaging, real-time motion tracking, and highly personalised radiation planning.

In the area of cardiovascular care, Deaver said AMCE’s cardiac team had continued to scale its interventional and surgical capabilities, adding that it has performed over 10 successful cardiac interventions, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions, and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) over the last six months.

With the successful completion of its first CABG, the ACME boss said the centre was now offering a fully integrated cardiac care pathway from advanced diagnostics and interventional cardiology to complex open-heart surgery within one facility.

Deaver stated, “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 by providing the infrastructure, technology, and training environment needed to support the continent’s most skilled specialists.”

When asked the impact AMCE was making to reverse medical tourism and brain-drain in Africa, Deaver said a lot of critical health challenges were currently being handled at the hospital some of which would have gulped millions in foreign exchange to treat abroad.

He said the milestones recorded by AMCE reflected the exceptional skill and dedication of its multidisciplinary teams, who had worked tirelessly to ensure that patients could access the most advanced cancer and cardiac care right here in Africa.

He stated, “With our oncology systems, Cath labs, and theatres fully operational, we are closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality treatment and enabling people to receive life-saving care close to home.

“Our commitment remains steadfast: to invest in our people, technology, and infrastructure so that Africans no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.”

Commenting on the remarkable milestones, Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of Export Development, 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 said expanding its cardiovascular and specialised services, the hospital was reinforcing its commitment to curb medical tourism by reversing the estimated US$6–10 billion 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.

Doherty stated, “These achievements show what is possible when we build capacity locally, reducing the continent’s dependence on outbound medical tourism, retaining vital clinical expertise, and strengthening Africa’s broader health ecosystem.

“AMCE is advancing a new era of health dignity for Africans, and we are proud to support its continued leadership in complex and innovative care.

“AMCE is also in the process of preparing patients for further complex procedures, including valve repairs and replacements.”