Luiz Braga França Ferreira, nationally known as Dr. Luís França, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Recife – Pernambuco in December 1944. He completed his pediatric internship at Manoel Almeida Children ‘s Hospital in Recife.

He opened his private practice in the Edifício Diogo, located in downtown Fortaleza, state of Ceará. His advertisement in the newspaper O POVO read: “Dr. Luís França (children ‘s illnesses), consultations at Ed. Diogo, room 41, tel: 3146, from 2 PM to 7 PM.”

Mothers from various social classes in the capital city quickly embraced his services. Many of them encouraged the doctor to move his practice to a busier location. However, Dr. Luís França, deeply moved by the poverty in Fortaleza’s neighborhoods, chose instead to settle in Barra do Ceará, in the Greater Pirambu region.

The renowned pediatrician was struck by the overwhelming number of underprivileged mothers seeking care. Without hesitation, he expanded the hospital wards to offer free medical care. On May 25, 1959, he founded the Society for the Assistance and Protection of Children of Fortaleza (SOPAI). On April 18, 1962, he registered the institution’s bylaws at the Pergentino Maia Notary Office, in the Registry Book of Legal Entities No. 09, page No. 233, under entry No. 1,579.

Due to the vital services provided to underprivileged children and youth from several neighborhoods across the Barra do Ceará region—as well as children from adjacent regions and municipalities within the metropolitan area of Fortaleza—SOPAI Philanthropic Children’s Hospital was officially recognized as a Public Utility institution by:

• the Municipal Government of Fortaleza on July 2, 1963,
• the State Government of Ceará on October 9, 1967, and
• the Federal Government of Brazil on January 31, 1973.

After the passing of Dr. Luís França, his son and successor, Dr. João França Neto, also a pediatrician, assumed the presidency of SOPAI Hospital. With dynamic leadership, he restructured the institution to better fulfill its mission. He revised the bylaws, expanded the scope of services, established partnerships with public authorities, and created support and isolation wards for infectious diseases.

Additionally, the hospital now offers mental health care beds, ranking it among the leading pediatric facilities in Brazil. SOPAI has also established partnerships with peer institutions and community leaders, always supported by the Guardianship Councils.

At the headquarters of SOPAI Pediatric Hospital, preventive medicine services are offered to children in the community, with 97% of consultations provided through Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS).