In Africa, quality medical care - especially preventive care - can be expensive and difficult to find. Lucie Avoaka's Santa Maria Medical Centre aims to change that by providing a range of medical services at prices which are adapted to the client's budget.

Lucie studied medicine in her native Abidjan and decided to specialize in tropical medicine. She worked in the public health service for over 18 years and then went on to become an independent consultant in public health issues, specifically in tropical medicine and STDs. Her contact with patients in the field has given her a real understanding of the need for quality preventive medicine among poorer communities.

Preventive medecine for the people, by the people

"I spent 10 years working with high risk populations," says Lucie. "During that time, I became convinced that more could be done to improve medical conditions for these people."
At the Santa Maria Medical Centre, clients will be able to consult qualified, experienced professionals, whatever their budget. Prices are adjusted in line with income and a 'health passport' ensures that even the poorest individuals can gain access to high quality medical care.

As well as medical consultations, the Santa Maria Medical Centre will conduct biological analyses and provide training and employment for health care professionals. Abidjan's existing medical laboratories are under-resourced and over-worked, so the new center will play a vital role in improving clinical diagnoses. Ten new jobs have already been created and there are plans to expand further.

A fully integrated program

The Santa Maria Medical Centre will also conduct research into public health issues and run educational programs to promote preventive medicine. "Many of Africa's most pressing health issues could be tackled through effective preventive health programs. Social awareness is critical but existing educational programs do not reach far enough," confirms Lucie.

Lucie's approach is rare in Africa, where medical programs aimed at impoverished populations tend to be run on a temporary basis to tackle major problems as and when they arise. She hopes that her preventive approach to health care will result in significant reductions in infant and childhood mortality as well as improvements in occupational and sexual health.

A victory for the whole of Africa

Before launching the project, Lucie took a higher education certificate in business management but still hopes to benefit from the coaching awarded to finalists. "Being a business woman, especially an African business woman, is a daily struggle for recognition," explains Lucie. "The support of an organization like Cartier helped us to develop and improve our financial and marketing strategies."

Several months after the Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards, Lucie has decided to create BOKASSOU (“United we stand”), an NGO which now includes the Santa Maria Medical Centre. This decision was motivated by the weak purchasing power and the increase in inequalities in Ivory Coast. Officially registered in August 2009, BOKASSOU expects in the short term to conclude financial agreements with partnering organizations to makes its action sustainable.