African Medical Centre Performs First Open-Heart Surgery, SBRT

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.

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) Communications and Events Manager, Vincent Musumba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, AMCE, a world-class tertiary medical facility developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital London, achieved the milestones barely six months after it commenced operations in June 2025.

It added that 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,” Musumba said in the statement.

The statement also explained that SBRT is an advanced radiosurgical technique that achieves surgical-level precision without incision, noting that the SBRT landmark case involved an octogenarian with a localised lung tumour treated using sophisticated imaging, real-time motion tracking and personalised radiation planning.

It also highlighted that in cardiovascular care, AMCE had performed no fewer than 10 successful cardiac interventions within its first six months of operation, including coronary angiographies, permanent pacemaker insertions and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI).

The statement further noted that 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.

It also quoted the Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Mr Brian Deaver, as saying, “Delivering our first open-heart surgery and West Africa’s first SBRT treatment represents a defining moment for AMCE and for healthcare in Africa.

“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 also noted that with the oncology systems, catheterisation labs and operating theatres fully operational, AMCE is closing long-standing gaps in access to high-quality treatment.

He further reaffirmed the company’s commitment to investing in people, technology, and infrastructure so that Africans will no longer need to travel abroad for the highest standards of care.

The statement also quoted the Managing Director, Export Development, Afreximbank, Oluranti Doherty, as saying, “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.”

Doherty further stated that Afreximbank is proud to support AMCE in advancing a new era of health dignity for Africans.

According to the statement, the hospital is also preparing patients for additional complex procedures, including valve repairs and replacements, as it continues to expand its cardiovascular and specialised services.

It added that AMCE aims to help curb the estimated six to 10 billion dollars spent annually by Africans on medical treatment abroad, while also addressing the long-standing brain drain in the health sector by creating high-quality career opportunities within Africa’s borders.

The facility, which features the largest stem cell laboratory in the region, 15 post-stem cell isolation rooms, three catheterisation laboratories, an 18 MeV cyclotron, and three Tesla MRIs, currently has a 170-bed capacity, with plans to expand to 500 beds.

It also noted that the hospital has a 256-slice CT scanner, a brachytherapy machine with an iridium source, four biosafety cabinets and a 128-slice CT machine, and provides services in cardiovascular care, haematology, comprehensive oncology and general medical services.