Some journeys in medicine are built quietly far from the spotlight where resilience is tested and purpose is forged.
After graduating from the University of Zambia in 2008, Dr. Salome Sakala completed her internship at Kitwe Central Hospital before being posted to Mwinilunga. That rural experience became a turning point. It was where her confidence grew and her passion for surgery was unlocked.
“Mwinilunga changed me. It boosted my confidence and revealed my potential for surgery.”
Driven by this calling, she returned to UNZA to pursue a Master’s in Urology, graduating in 2019. She later joined Solwezi General Hospital, where she established the hospital’s urology unit from the ground up and rose to become Head of the Department of Urology.
Her impact goes beyond the theatre. She helped launch Solwezi General’s first Specialist Training Programme in Urology, mentoring a young female doctor who successfully passed her first-level exams. She also leads conversations on men’s health in schools and professional spaces.
Despite challenges such as limited access to advanced minimally invasive surgical equipment, Dr. Sakala continues to push forward engaging the private sector to strengthen services
Looking ahead, her vision is bold: to inspire more young doctors to specialise in urology, pursue a fellowship in genitourinary reconstructive surgery, and one day establish a centre of excellence that restores dignity, safety, and quality of life for elderly men.
“Seeing elderly patients walk away healthy and dignified gives me the greatest joy.”
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