Anthony Mulenga Zimba, RIP

It is with great sadness that IBE announces the death of its esteemed Treasurer, Anthony Mulenga Zimba. A victim of Covid-19, Anthony passed away in hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, on the morning of Sunday 9th August.

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.

May he rest in peace.