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AFREXIMBANK ANNOUNCES AN AFRICAN MEDICAL CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN ABUJA , NIGERIA
African Export-Import Bank ( Afreximbank ) has announced the commencement of its African Medical Centre of Excellence ( AMCE ) project in Abuja , Nigeria . It will provide world-class care to both low- and high-income patient groups across the continent . The Bank recently formalised its long-term collaboration with King ’ s College Hospital , London ( KCH ) on the project when it signed an agreement appointing KCH the Clinical Partner of the AMCE .
Construction of the Abuja AMCE is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2021 and commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 . The African Medical Centre of Excellence will be implemented in four phases over a sixyear period , starting off with a 170-bed specialist hospital before expanding to a 500-bed facility .
Nigeria was selected in 2017 as the host country for the first AMCE following a competitive bidding process in which Ghana , Kenya and Tanzania also participated . The four countries had previously been identified as prospective host countries by a pre-feasibility study commissioned by Afreximbank and conducted by KCH in 2015 .
The AMCE plans to offer a full range of medical services , such as diagnostics , treatment , nuclear medicine , surgery and post-surgical care , along with specialist services covering oncology , haematological diseases ( including sickle cell and blood cancers ) and cardiovascular ailments . It will also offer education and clinical research services with a view to building leading talent and becoming a top tier quaternarylevel medical facility .
The Abuja AMCE will not only enhance access to healthcare services for 50,000 people every year but also provide 3,000 jobs during its construction and operational phases . Thus , in setting up the AMCE , Afreximbank aims to assist in the provision of quality healthcare , enhanced service offerings , training , expanded employment , conservation of foreign exchange in Africa and promotion of intra- African medical tourism .
“ The African Medical Centre of Excellence is a landmark project for Africa . Designed as an initiative under Afreximbank ’ s 5th Strategic Plan , we are now pleased to be concretising our aspirations .
“ With successful delivery of the Abuja AMCE , the Bank will be well prepared to implement its continent-wide plan of developing a network of AMCEs across Africa and contribute its quota in improving the quality of lives of the African people . The Abuja AMCE will tackle the rising burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases , with general care capabilities that will serve the entire West Africa region and beyond . It is a demonstration project that will trigger similar medical centres across the continent ,” said Professor Benedict Oramah , President of Afreximbank .
“ We are grateful for the significant support from the Government of Nigeria and are pleased to have King ’ s College Hospital as our partners .
“ We look forward to benefitting from their world-class expertise in medicine , medical , research and training ,” added Professor Oramah .
The onboarding of King ’ s College Hospital is an important milestone . KCH boasts almost two centuries of experience in healthcare service delivery and health systems strengthening . They will support the development of the Abuja AMCE in terms of clinical expertise and protocols , governance and administration support , facility and service set-up as well as recruitment , education and training . x
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