ALESSANDRO
"You will need to speak with the Director of Health Facilities. Let me see if Madame Kouassi is available." She picked up the phone, spoke briefly, and then looked back at me with a reassuring smile. "You're in luck. Madame Kouassi can see you now. Her office is on the third floor, room 305. The elevator is just to your right."
"Thank you," I said and headed towards the elevator, I could feel my heart pounding with anticipation. On the third floor, I found room 305 and knocked gently.
"Entrez!" came a voice from inside. I opened the door gently, allowing the figure of Madame Kouassi who was seated behind a large desk cluttered with documents, to appear slowly. She looked up and smiled warmly. "Mr. Alessandro, welcome. Please, have a seat. How can I help you today?"
"Thank you, Madame Kouassi," I said as I sat down. "I'm interested in establishing a new hospital here in Abidjan and would like to understand the registration process and requirements." Madame Kouassi nodded approvingly.
"A noble endeavor. The Ministry is always supportive of initiatives to enhance our healthcare infrastructure. To start, you will need a detailed business plan and architectural plans for your hospital."
"I have a business plan ready and some initial architectural drafts," I replied, noting down her points.
"Excellent. You will also need to ensure that your facilities comply with our health and safety standards. Once you submit your plans, they will undergo a review, followed by an on-site inspection by our health and safety inspectors."
"And what about the qualifications needed by the medical staff and the operational standards for the hospital?" I inquired.
"All medical staff must have valid licenses recognized by the Côte d'Ivoire Medical Board," she explained. "Your hospital must also demonstrate financial stability and meet all operational and safety protocols." I nodded slowly.
"Are there specific fees associated with the licensing process?"
"Yes, there are applications and licensing fees, which vary depending on the hospital's size and services. Detailed fee schedules are available on our website or at our finance office. I'll advise you to check them later of course"
"I'll be sure to do just that. How long exactly does the entire approval process typically take?"
"From the submission of documents to the final approval, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the complexity of your application and your preparedness."
"After the initial approval, will there be ongoing inspections or reviews?"
"Yes," she confirmed. "We conduct periodic inspections to ensure continued compliance with our health standards. You'll need to maintain high operational standards to keep your license. And once your license is lost, there is no telling the possibility of obtaining it back."
At that moment, the door opened slightly, and a tall man with a kind yet professional demeanor entered.
"Excuse me, Madame Kouassi. I have the latest inspection report ready for review."
"Perfect timing, Inspector," she said, turning back to me. "Mr. Alexandro, this is Inspector Diallo. He's one of our top health and safety inspectors. If you have any specific questions about the inspection process, he's the best person to take you on." I stood and extended my hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Inspector Diallo. Could you give me a brief overview of what your inspections typically cover?"
"Certainly," Inspector Diallo said, shaking my hand. "We look at a wide range of factors, including facility safety, equipment standards, hygiene practices, and the qualifications of your medical staff. We ensure everything aligns with our health regulations."
"Thank you both for your time and guidance," I said, feeling a surge of confidence. "I feel much more prepared to move forward with my plans."
"We're here to support you," Madame Kouassi said, standing as well. "Once you have your documents ready, submit them to our office, and we will guide you through the next steps."
I shook hands with both officials and left the office, my mind racing with the possibilities and the steps ahead. As I stepped outside into the bright sunlight of Abidjan, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination, ready to finally turn my dreams into reality.
A week later, I came back to the ministry to drop all the necessary documents that were required by the ministry. I was dismissed with a promise of them calling me as sound as possible. I left the office with my excitement dropping slowly. Miss Kouassi had said it might take months or even a year before I was going to receive their feedback but that doesn't add to the fact that I might end up being very much rejected.
The next few months that preceded the reply from the ministry were some of the worst ones I had ever experienced. The day the ministry remembered me, was what I would describe as the best day of my life. I was seated outside, reading a book I had bought just a few days ago when there was a knock on the door. The gateman hurriedly opened the small gate revealing a suited man. He seemed to ask the gateman some questions. The man walked slowly towards me holding his files tightly in his arms.
"Good morning, sir, I'm guessing you are Mr. Alessandro?"
"And who is looking for him?" I replied.
"My name is Koffi and envoy of the Ministry of Health. They sent me to deliver your reply." With that, the man left and I tore the letter open. I quickly scanned through the letter. My breath caught when I saw the one word I've been searching for, 'approved'.
I jumped out and screamed so loud that Sita had to rush from the kitchen when she heard my screams.
"Babe, what happened?"
"They have accepted! They told me yes! We can finally begin building our dream world!" the excitement on my face was only a fraction of the one that was hidden inside.
The next day I went to the market to bargain prices and begin construction immediately. There was no better time to start following my dream.