By Samuel Adeola
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday commissioned the African Medical Centre of Excellence in Abuja, marking a significant milestone in Africa’s quest to strengthen healthcare delivery and curb medical tourism.
The 500-bed world-class facility was developed by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London.
It is designed to provide advanced care in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular medicine, and general surgery, while also serving as a centre for medical research, innovation, and professional training.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the centre boasts West Africa’s first 18 MeV Cyclotron, a 3 Tesla MRI, PET and SPECT CT, and a 256-slice CT scanner.
It also features Africa’s largest stem cell laboratory, AI-powered diagnostics, linear accelerators, catheterisation labs, and infrastructure for stem cell transplants and clinical trials.
Speaking at the inauguration, Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said the project demonstrates that Africa can deliver world-class healthcare and compete on the global stage.
He commended Afreximbank and King’s College Hospital for transforming vision into reality.
He added that the initiative aligns with the federal government’s ongoing health sector reforms, including the recent Executive Order to unlock the healthcare value chain and the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund, which aims to enhance roads, electricity, and connectivity to support medical institutions.
Chief Executive Officer of AMCE, Brian Deaver, said the facility is proof that Africans no longer need to travel abroad for advanced treatment.
He described the centre as a fusion of engineering excellence and compassionate care, and expressed gratitude to Afreximbank, King’s College Hospital, and the Nigerian government for their backing.
Afreximbank President Benedict Oramah said the centre represents a broader vision to eliminate Africa’s dependence on foreign medical services and raise the continent’s healthcare standards to a global level.
He disclosed that more centres of excellence are planned across Africa.
The AMCE is expected to serve more than 350,000 patients within its first five years and create over 3,000 jobs.
It will also host a medical and nursing school to train the next generation of African healthcare professionals.
