Dr Régine Okome is a dermatologist at Marthenica Medical Centre in Libreville, Gabon. Okome describes herself as an active mother who fully trusts God. Her love of serving people and the joy she derives from brightening up sad faces are what led her to pursue a career in health. By taking up the opportunities in front of her, and daring to continue even when she had reasons to doubt that she could make it, along with finding herself one too many times at the right place and right time, through her belief in the sheer grace of God, are what Régine believes to have contributed to her achievements in her career path.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
A typical day in my life starts at 5:30am with a prayer in my bedroom, as without God I don’t think that I can cope through any day. After the prayer, I have about one hour to prepare the children for school. After this, I start preparing myself for work. I am in my office before 8 am and once there, I start with another prayer.
Following this, I go through my e-mails, addressing administrative emergencies along with going through the notes I had written in my black diary, the day prior, of things that I must accomplish the following day. After catching up with administrative duties, I then begin to receive patients, which is the peak of my day as I feel fulfilled from caring for people. At the end of the workday, I finalize some administrative tasks such as pending reports and commercial proposals. When I have gone through everything, I do a last check in with my administrative assistant to ensure that what needed to be done has been completed. I leave the office at 5:30pm and start another work, so to speak, with my children at home. I go to bed at about 11 pm.
You have worked for a number of organisations, have you ever faced challenges due to your gender?
Yes, I have faced several issues, particularly regarding the position I held in the previous company I worked for. Since the creation of that position about 50 years ago, it was the first time it was held by a woman. Consequently, I received a lot of counselling from my colleagues who thought me to be too fragile. Many of them thought I would not be able to cope with both the workload and the amount of pressure that came with it. However, it was a total success as I introduced many reforms that considerably improved the medical services offered by the company.
What experience are you most proud of?
My experience working at Shell Gabon has been the most rewarding and fulfilling so far. Therefore, it is the experience that I am most proud of. I learnt a lot and discovered much about myself through working in a culturally diverse environment and gained continuous skills improvement. The environment favoured the flourishing of the person I am today and I can proudly say it that all I know and do today is mostly due to my experience at that company.
What is your greatest regret?
When I started practising in my profession, I was working for the government. I mostly regret the fact that when I was there, I was not as equipped as I am today to bring the necessary changes I would have loved to see in that working environment.
What, in your opinion, are the biggest opportunities for women in health on the African continent?
For me, Africa is a virgin continent where many things could and should be done. In Health as in all domains in Africa, women should play a major role. There are several opportunities in the health sector in Africa where women can bring something more:
- In the public sector: Their motherly nature should drive them as it predisposes them towards enhancing both health promotion and education, particularly in remote parts of the continent where there is a need for them. Their role could also be crucial when dealing with the health of mothers and children under clinical care
- In the private sector: The opening of private practices by women can clearly help as to my mind they are more meticulous in their management of establishments as they do in caring daily for their homes.
- There is a real demand in this sector for women in health so they should not be hesitant.
Have you ever been mentored, if so by whom?
I have never had the privilege of being under the direct mentorship of anyone, but I learnt from examples around me.
What is the value of mentorship in your opinion?
There can be no price tag on mentorship as its value cannot be estimated. Learning from an experienced person clearly makes a difference as you can lean on someone and make the right decisions at the right moment. Not only do you avoid making unnecessary mistakes, and thus waste time, but you are empowered for life.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have ever received is my moto: BE STRONG-WORK HARD-TRUST GOD.
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