By Oscar Chukwugekwu
The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE), Abuja, has achieved landmark medical breakthroughs within its first year of operations, treating more than 5,000 patients from over 20 countries, and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading specialist healthcare institutions.
The achievements came to the fore during the visit of Dr George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), to the hospital as part of his working tour of Nigeria and the wider region.
Developed by Afreximbank, in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, the AMCE was established to reduce Africa’s dependence on overseas medical treatment by providing world-class specialist healthcare, research and medical training on the continent.
Within its first year, the Centre has delivered several groundbreaking procedures, including West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for lung cancer, successfully treating an elderly patient with a localised lung tumour using a highly precise, non-invasive technique previously available mainly outside Africa.
The hospital has also performed its first complex Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), completed two stem cell transplants, and performed 10 open-heart surgeries and 11 cardiac surgical procedures, while its catheterisation laboratory has handled 99 procedures and another 173 anaesthesia-supported procedures.
Its diagnostic laboratory has processed more than 40,000 investigations, while nuclear medicine services have commenced, with SPECT/CT imaging now available for bone scans, renograms and perfusion scans. PET/CT imaging is expected to begin later this year.
Speaking during the visit, Elombi described the hospital’s rapid progress as proof that Africa has the expertise and capacity to build and sustain world-class healthcare institutions.
He said the Centre had become a symbol of African excellence and a practical demonstration of the continent’s quest for healthcare sovereignty.
Elombi said, “The success of this Centre reflects the depth of talents assembled here, and the pan-African spirit that underpins its service. The AMCE not only provides healthcare, but also advances Africa’s health sovereignty by demonstrating our collective ability to take responsibility for our future.
“This is a world-class quaternary healthcare facility delivering services many Africans previously travelled abroad to obtain. Nigerians and other Africans should take full advantage of this institution, built by African institutions with the support of our governments.”
AMCE Chief Executive Officer Brian Deaver described Elombi’s visit as a significant milestone, saying the hospital’s achievements within one year have reinforced confidence that Africa can successfully establish and sustain globally competitive centres of medical excellence.
According to him, the hospital remains committed to expanding specialist care, research, education and innovation to strengthen healthcare systems across the continent.
During the visit, Elombi toured key clinical departments, met healthcare workers and received updates on the Centre’s operations, clinical milestones and expansion plans.
He commended staff for their professionalism and dedication, saying their commitment had laid a solid foundation for a new standard of specialist healthcare in Africa.
The Centre currently employs more than 600 clinical and non-clinical professionals from 12 countries. It also recently earned the Great Place to Work Certification, with 90 per cent of employees affirming it is an excellent workplace.