As we celebrate women in the medical field, we shine a spotlight on Dr Doreen Okong Alaleit, a trailblazer in emergency medicine at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Her role requires exceptional resilience as she balances multiple responsibilities; she is a doctor, an educator, and a mother of four, all while shaping the future of emergency medicine in Uganda and challenging gender norms within the medical profession.
A call to save lives
Raised in a family of healthcare professionals; her mother a nurse and her father an obstetrician, Dr Alaleit felt a deep responsibility to make them proud. However, it was during her medical internship at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, while pregnant with her first child at 24, that her purpose in medicine became clear.
“Holding my newborn son for the first time, I had a deeper appreciation for life and the role of health workers in sustaining it,” she recalls. “At that moment, I truly knew why I had become a doctor. I wanted to save lives.”
Breaking barriers
Despite emergency cases being a leading cause of death in Uganda, emergency medicine was a relatively new field until 2017, when Uganda partnered with Seed Global Health to launch a Master of Medicine (MMed) programme in emergency medicine. Dr Alaleit was part of the programme’s first cohort in 2018, balancing rigorous coursework while raising three children and pregnant with her fourth.
“Women are often expected to be excellent in many roles but not to push their limits. My parents raised me to believe otherwise,” she says.
Out of the eight students in her class, only three graduated in 2022; two of them women. “We refused to be stereotyped. Being a mother and wife did not mean we could not study, be on the ward, or excel.”
Challenging gender biases
Even as a highly qualified doctor, Dr Alaleit has faced gender bias at work. Patients often assume she is a nurse, even when male colleagues with fewer qualifications are addressed as doctors.
“One day, a patient was brought to the emergency ward, and after resuscitation, he told the doctor that he had not been seen by a doctor. When I was called, the patient said he had been worked on by a nurse because I am a woman. Some biases are cultural, but I do not let them affect me,” she says.
She lets her work speak for itself rather than succumbing to frustration. She recalls a time when she was overlooked for a senior position because it was assumed she might take maternity leave or could not work longer hours.
One of the key challenges women face in accessing medical emergency services, she says, is limited information about what constitutes a medical emergency, where to get help, and lack of financial empowerment.
“We should all know that any medical crisis that can lead to the loss of life or a limb is an emergency. These can be identified at any healthcare centre, general hospital, or regional referral. Once women are economically empowered, they can overcome these challenges,” she says.
Leader
At Mulago Hospital, Dr Alaleit leads the resuscitation team in the accident and emergency ward, where she thrives in high-pressure situations.
“The job involves a rush of energy. It can be chaotic, but it is amazing. Treating patients near death and bringing them back is incredible,” she says.
During Uganda’s recent Ebola outbreak in early 2025, Dr Alaleit played a key role in ensuring safety protocols were followed, protecting health workers, students, and patients. More than 1,100 health workers were trained in infection prevention, and Seed Global Health supported hospitals with personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Doctors sometimes forget that we, too, are human and vulnerable. This outbreak was a stark reminder,” she reflects.
A passion for teaching
As a Seed Global Health educator, Dr Alaleit now trains nurses, undergraduate medical students, and MMed students.
“When I studied emergency medicine, we had no mentors because there were so few emergency doctors in Uganda. I share with my students what I wish we had,” she explains.
She emphasises the role of mentorship, with a simple teaching philosophy; saving one life impacts many others. Today, she is one of only 25 emergency medicine doctors in Uganda, and thanks to training efforts, injury and trauma mortality rates have dropped by 50 percent compared to two decades ago.
Building a legacy
Dr Alaleit envisions a strong, resilient Ugandan health system that meets both present and future needs. Through her role as an educator, she is ensuring that the next generation of healthcare workers is well-equipped to provide high-quality emergency care.
As president of the Emergency Care Association of Uganda, she is involved in advocacy and training, working in partnership with the Ministry of Health to develop an emergency care policy and strategic plan for the country.
Regarding mental health, Dr Alaleit acknowledges that some emergency cases can be traumatic.
“I am humble enough to ask for help. But also, when we handle cases, there are professionals from different fields that we work with. I do not own the patient but rather share responsibilities. Spending time with my children and family is therapeutic.”
When asked what keeps her going, Dr Alaleit says, “My children inspire me to work harder, not just for them, but for all children. I want to leave behind a strong, sustainable health system that allows future generations to thrive.”
During her free time, she enjoys going to the salon, getting a facial, and meditating, knowing that she must be fine first if she is to save others.
Advice
Dr Doreen Okong Alaleit message to young girls aspiring to become doctors is clear; “The power is within you. Medicine requires hard work, but it is incredibly rewarding. Always ask yourself, if roles were reversed and you were the patient, how would you want to be treated? That is how I approach my work.” She attributes her success to determination and a positive attitude toward life and her profession.
