AMCE Abuja Records First Autologous Stem Cell Transplant

The African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja has achieved a significant milestone in sickle cell disease treatment by successfully completing its first autologous stem cell transplant. This advanced procedure, performed ahead of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, offers a potential cure for patients who previously had limited options, often involving extensive travel abroad for specialized care. An autologous stem cell transplant utilizes a patient's own healthy blood stem cells to replace diseased bone marrow.

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For decades, many Africans living with sickle cell disease have believed their options were limited to pain management, hospital admissions and blood transfusions, with advanced treatment often requiring travel abroad. That is beginning to change.

This achievement follows closely on the heels of AMCE's successful completion of its first red blood cell exchange procedure earlier this year. Together, these milestones mark a crucial step in AMCE's capacity to deliver highly specialized hematology care within Nigeria. Previously, many Africans living with sickle cell disease relied primarily on pain management, hospital admissions, and blood transfusions, with advanced treatments often inaccessible locally.

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Earlier this year, the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja successfully carried out its first red blood cell exchange procedure. More recently, the Centre completed its first autologous stem cell transplant, marking another important step in its ability to deliver highly specialised haematology care in Nigeria.

AMCE now offers a comprehensive range of services for sickle cell patients, including early diagnosis, genetic counseling, specialist hematology care, red blood cell exchange procedures, and, for eligible individuals, stem cell transplantation. The center aims to make these life-changing treatments more accessible, acknowledging that many patients and families across Africa remain unaware of the advanced options now available.

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Today, patients can access a range of advanced services, including early diagnosis and genetic counselling, specialist haematology care, red blood cell exchange procedures and, for eligible patients, stem cell transplantation, the only established curative treatment for sickle cell disease.