The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) has announced the inclusion of an advanced medical imaging technology called cyclotron in its facility , to significantly enhance diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in Nigeria and across the continent.
The chief executive officer of AMCE , Brian Deaver, made the disclosure Wednesday in Abuja during a media tour of the facility.
AMCE is a tertiary-level multi-specialty medical institution established by Afreximbank in collaboration with King’s College Hospital, London.
Currently, West Africa faces a significant gap in access to cyclotron technology, with only
one operational cyclotron in the region.
According to a 2023 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the majority of Africa’s cyclotron facilities are concentrated in North Africa and South Africa, leaving West Africa with limited access to advanced diagnostic imaging and radio pharmaceutical production.
Deaver said the development of AMCE’s cyclotron facility aims to bridge this gap, providing much-needed access to cutting-edge medical technology in West Africa.
He said the cyclotron is a crucial component of AMCE, designed to facilitate advanced medical imaging technology essential for diagnosing and treating complex diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders—areas where AMCE will specialise.
He said the equipment will enable the production of radiopharmaceuticals, which are vital for PET-CT scans and other nuclear medicine procedures, offering precision in disease detection and treatment planning.
He said ,”Cyclotrons are vital for producing medical isotopes, which are crucial for advanced diagnostic imaging and targeted therapies. By establishing this facility, we ensure a reliable, local supply of isotopes, enabling faster and more accurate diagnoses for non-communicable diseases.”
The AMCE CEO said the impact of the cyclotron facility will extend beyond diagnostics, adding that it will foster innovation and research that will improve treatment options for patients suffering from chronic conditions. “By bringing this technology to West Africa, we are not just enhancing local healthcare infrastructure; we are also laying the groundwork for a self-sufficient and resilient healthcare system.”
He said that the cyclotron facility will serve as a hub for collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and industry experts.
He highlighted that the synergy will be crucial in driving forward the solutions needed to tackle the healthcare challenges in the region.
He said that after introducing it in Nigeria , the next cyclotron facility will be opened in Tanzania and then Cameroon, adding that the hospital also plans a stem transplant centre to cure sickle cell disease, one of the common diseases in the country.
Representative of IBA Radiopharma Solutions and Vice President of Latam, Ambrosio Moreno said having a cyclotron facility would enable AMCE become part of a community of researchers , as the half- life of radio-pharmaceuticals makes it important to produce them locally. He noted that this further enhances collaboration and not competition.
Explaining the concept of half life he said, the life span of the radioactive materials produced is short, ranging from minutes to hours . “In the case of fluorine, every two hours, half of it disappears. That’s why we have to produce it locally. Because if we try to import fluorine from Europe, it will be gone by the time it gets here. So, this is why the cyclotron is so important to have here locally. And if we can encourage other hospitals, we can treat 200 million people. We can’t diagnose 200 million people with one PET scan. We need other hospitals to put these PET scans in. If they do it, they don’t have to buy a cyclotron, which is expensive. We can supply the hospital with the isotopes that they need,” he added.
The Chief medical director of AMCE, Dr Aisha Umar said cyclotron technology has had a profound impact on medical imaging and treatment by enabling the development of advanced imaging techniques, precision medicine approaches, targeted therapies, disease monitoring strategies, research advancements, and improved patient care.
“The continued innovation and integration of cyclotron technology in healthcare are expected to further enhance the quality of medical services and outcomes for patients,” she added.
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