The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) is set to revolutionise healthcare delivery in West Africa, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders, with the development of its state-of-the-art Cyclotron facility.
The leading multi-specialty healthcare institution established by Afreximbank in partnership with King’s College Hospital, London, is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing medical tourism, as Nigerians and other West Africans will have access to world-class treatment within their own communities.
At the Cyclotron Media Day event held in Abuja, the CEO of AMCE, Brian Deaver, highlighted the critical role the Cyclotron will play in improving access to advanced medical technologies in the region.
The facility, designed to produce medical isotopes essential for PET-CT scans and other nuclear medicine procedures, will enhance the precision and speed of disease detection, providing life-saving diagnostic tools for millions of patients across West Africa.
“Our mission at AMCE is to provide world-class, patient-centered care that bridges the gap in non-communicable disease treatment. The Cyclotron facility marks a monumental leap forward in healthcare, enabling us to offer accurate diagnostics and cutting-edge treatment that has been largely unavailable in the region.
“By producing radiopharmaceuticals locally, we will ensure faster and more effective patient care, reducing reliance on external suppliers and empowering local healthcare providers,” said Deaver.
West Africa currently faces significant limitations in accessing cyclotron technology, with only one operational facility across the entire region. A 2023 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted that most cyclotron facilities are concentrated in North and South Africa, leaving West Africa underserved.
AMCE said its new facility aims to address this gap, providing critical medical isotopes not only for its own diagnostic services but also for other medical institutions across the region.
The media event also offered a tour of the AMCE Abuja Medical Centre, which is on track for completion in April 2025. The Cyclotron facility will be an integral part of this flagship institution, offering specialist services in oncology, haematology, cardiovascular care, and more.
The Cyclotron facility is envisioned as a hub for clinical research, training, and partnerships with experts across the continent.
Deaver said that “The Cyclotron represents more than just technological advancement. It is a symbol of our mission to shape a healthier, more self-sufficient future for Africa.”
He said that the AMCE is not only going to reduce medical tourism but will also help in bringing diaspora back home.
“We are bringing diaspora back home. We’re bringing these skilled doctors back home everywhere. Now, I’m from Texas in the U.S. Everywhere you see world-class facilities, you will see Nigerian doctors at the top of that leadership.
“They are some of the most skilled clinicians and physicians in the world. And we are attracting them back home. We are giving them the resources, the technology, the tools, the equipment that they seek and the funding to be able to come back home and treat their own people.”
The chief medical officer of AMCE, Dr. Aisha Umar, said AMCE is one of five projects in West Africa, targeting 500 bed capacity. “This is one of five projects in West Africa, we will cover West Africa, we have the capacity, this is just phase one. We are aiming to get to 500 beds, this is going to be 170 beds when we start but in three years, we would build the second 330 beds, which would make it complete.”
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