Anthony Mulenga Zimba, rest in peace. We are deeply saddened by the news that Anthony has passed away due to COVID-19 in Lusaka, Zambia on Sunday, August 9, 2020. He was a pioneering figure in the epilepsy community in his homeland and across the African continent. We extend our condolences to his family, friends and communities who knew him around the world.

The following announcement comes from Martin Brodie, president of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE).

“Anthony had a long history of service to IBE, having served on the African Regional Committee from 2005 to 2009 and on its International Executive Committee for the last 11 years, firstly as Vice President for the African Region from 2009 to 2017 and as Treasurer from 2017 until his passing. During this time, he worked tirelessly on behalf of people with epilepsy and those who care for them. His particular focus was on his beloved Africa and, as a result of his efforts, many IBE chapters in the region were supported through the IBE Promising Strategies Program in a range of projects aimed at improving their quality of life through training, advocacy and employment opportunities. He was also a member of the organising committee of the African Regional Epilepsy Congresses that took place in Nairobi, Cape Town, Dakar and Entebbe.

Anthony was the founder of the Epilepsy Association of Zambia in 2001, which became a chapter of IBE soon thereafter. To improve his knowledge and skills in the epilepsy and allied fields, he undertook a number of professional courses including the Professional Diploma in Epilepsy Care from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK; the Certificate in Clinical Epilepsy from the Foundation for Professional Development, South Africa; and the Certificate in Project Management at the University of Zambia. Previously, in 1982, he had studied for a Diploma in Clinical Medical Sciences at the College of Health Sciences in Lusaka. He worked as an Epilepsy Specialist at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka and established epilepsy clinics at government health institutions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. He also had a private practice – the Country Travellers’ Health Care Clinic – which specialises in psychiatry and epilepsy. To his colleagues and patients, his death will be a tremendous loss. Anthony leaves behind his wife, Dr Meaumui Mumbela, and four adult children from his first marriage – Alex, Anthony, James and Cindy. On behalf of the IBE International Executive Committee and all his colleagues at IBE, we extend our deepest sympathy at this very sad time to his family. We hope that memories they hold of Anthony as a husband and father and deserved pride in his dedication to people living with epilepsy both in Zambia and across the entire African region, will help them at this very difficult time.”

FROM A LIFE ELECTRIC’S FRASER MORTON

Below is an excerpt from an interview I had with Anthony in 2018 at the Epilepsy World Congress, about issues facing Zambia’s epilepsy community, which can be found at alifeelectric.org. Eszter also took his portrait (above), which he waited patiently for, wanting to be part of the project. He had a book with him and checked his notes before our interview, keen to make sure every point he wanted to communicate was recorded on our cameras and onto the pages of our project, in order to have his message heard. Speaking with Anthony, he struck me as someone deeply connected the welfare of people in his country, and someone who wore the responsibility of his position with diligence and a steady hand. His colleagues at the IBE paid tribute to him as a man “who dedicated his life to people living with epilepsy in Zambia and across the entire African region”.

It’s truly tragic to lose someone as accomplished as him to this terrible disease COVID-19. I think this brief passage below is a testament to his character and the essential work he contributed over a lifetime to shape epilepsy education and treatment for thousands of people in his country. The world needs every day heroes, and sadly, it lost another one this week.

The Politics of Epilepsy Zambia
Words of Anthony Mulenga Zimba
(2018 interview excerpt)

“In my country, there is a lot of stigma attached to epilepsy. People think it’s bewitchment, or that it’s a curse from God. We try our best to demystify epilepsy, and teach people that this is a treatable condition, which about 70 to 80 per cent of people, when diagnosed and treated correctly, can live good lives.

For some people, we can completely remove drugs from their lives, while others continue on taking medication, and experience improvement in their quality of life. We focus on positive reinforcement, and educate people that they can still go to school and get married.

A lot of employers in Zambia think that people with epilepsy cannot perform certain jobs or do things independently, but they definitely can.

"Recently, there was a case of a young man who was staying with his mother, sister and brother in a rural village in Zambia. He had focal seizures (epilepsy) and the family didn’t understand what was happening to him. This led to a lot of confusion and one day an argument between the man and his mother broke out. Then the brother joined in, and the argument escalated. Soon after, other villagers joined in, too, and descended upon the man, beating him very badly.

Luckily, in the neighbourhood there was someone who knew our epilepsy association. She called me in distress, and I drove there to rescue this young man from the mob before things got even worse. This was simply because of a misunderstanding due to his epilepsy."

Epilepsy is almost always put at the bottom of the list of health issues in African countries. We are working to change this. Some good news recently, because of the intervention of the World Health Organization on non-communicable diseases, epilepsy has been elevated in priority.

You must come to Zambia to film your documentary. I will take you to the hospitals around our country. You will find out about the availability of drugs. I would also like to take you to visit some of the traditional healers to show you how they conduct their practices. For most people in Zambia, the first point of entry to healthcare, is actually these traditional healers. It is good you understand and see this first-hand.

Also, I will take you to interview our policymakers in Zambia. The permanent secretary and the Minister of Health, so that you can ask them questions about their plans for the future of people with epilepsy in our country.”

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We will endeavour to ask those questions, Anthony. Consider it a promise.

Thank you for your service and dedication.

Rest in peace.

Sincerely
Fraser Morton and the A Life Electric team.