By George Ozalla
Caption.
L–R: Olusola Babalola, AMCE Chief Financial Officer, Kudakwashe Matereke, Director, Regional Operations (Anglophone West Africa), Afreximbank; Dr. Aisha Umar, Chief Medical Officer (AMCE), Abuja; Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Afreximbank; Brian Deaver, Chief Executive Officer, AMCE; Dr. Gloria Rowland, Chief Nursing Officer, AMCE and Xolani Ndlovu, Lead Consultant Nuclear Medicine at AMCE, during Dr. George Elombi’s visit and tour of the AMCE in Abuja.
President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Dr. George Elombi, has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing Africa’s healthcare sovereignty through sustained investment in world class medical infrastructure following a working visit to the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja.
Dr. Elombi visited the facility on Friday as part of his working tour of Nigeria and the wider region, where he assessed the Centre’s operations and reviewed its achievements after one year of providing specialised healthcare services.
According to a press statement by Afreximbank, the visit underscored the bank’s resolve to strengthen Africa’s healthcare systems by supporting institutions capable of delivering advanced medical services, reducing medical tourism and expanding access to quality healthcare across the continent.
Developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, the African Medical Centre of Excellence was established to transform specialised healthcare delivery in Africa through advanced clinical care, research, medical education and capacity building.
The statement noted that within its first year of operation, the Centre has treated more than 5,000 patients from over 20 countries across four continents, reinforcing its growing reputation as a regional and global referral centre for specialised healthcare.
It added that the hospital has recorded several landmark medical achievements, including West Africa’s first Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy procedure for lung cancer, successfully treating an elderly patient using a highly precise, non invasive technique that previously required treatment abroad.
The Centre also carried out its first complex triple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery, demonstrating that advanced cardiac care can now be delivered in Africa to international standards. It further completed two stem cell transplants, processed more than 40,000 laboratory and diagnostic tests, performed 10 open heart surgeries, 11 cardiac surgical procedures, 99 catheterisation procedures and 173 operations requiring anaesthesia within its first year.
The statement further disclosed that the Centre has introduced nuclear medicine services, with SPECT/CT imaging now available for bone scans, renograms and perfusion imaging, while PET/CT imaging is expected to become operational later this year.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Elombi described the Centre’s progress as a clear demonstration of African excellence, institutional commitment and shared vision.
“The success of this Centre reflects the wealth of talent assembled here and the Pan African spirit that drives its mission. AMCE is advancing Africa’s healthcare sovereignty while proving that world class specialised medical care can be provided on the continent. Nigerians and other Africans should take full advantage of this facility built by African institutions with the support of our governments,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, described the visit as an important milestone in the Centre’s journey and an opportunity to reflect on its impact within a year of operation.
He said the Centre’s pioneering clinical achievements and growing regional confidence demonstrate Africa’s capacity to establish and sustain world class centres of excellence, adding that the institution remains committed to advancing patient care, medical research, training and innovation with the continued support of Afreximbank.
During the tour, Dr. Elombi inspected key clinical departments, interacted with healthcare professionals and staff, and received briefings on the Centre’s operational performance, clinical accomplishments and long term expansion plans. He commended members of staff for their dedication and professionalism, describing their efforts as the foundation of the Centre’s early successes.
The statement said the African Medical Centre of Excellence currently employs more than 600 clinical and non clinical professionals drawn from 12 nationalities, reflecting its growing reputation as a destination for highly skilled healthcare experts. It added that the Centre recently earned the Great Place to Work certification, with 90 per cent of employees describing it as an excellent workplace.
