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Life is a journey, as the popular cliche goes, and nothing is as rewarding as a life well lived, especially in the service of mankind.
Anthony Mulenga Zimba, was a champion who served the epilepsy community with diligence, made outstanding contributions not only in Zambia but across the African borders.
Epilepsy is largely viewed as a curse in most parts of Africa, making it difficult for people living with this condition to cope with daily life situations, especially children.
It makes it difficult for children to keep up with the school curriculum because of the recurrences of the seizures, as well as the stigma that comes with it.
But for Anthony, he saw this as an opportunity to reach out to the epilepsy community not only in Zambia but across the continent by ensuring that they received the best medical care, support and for the children to remain in school.
Medically, epilepsy is defined as a disorder in which nerve activity in the brain is disbursed, causing seizures.
Epilepsy is said to occur as a result of a genetic disorder or an acquired brain injury, such as trauma or stroke.
Many choose to keep their illness a secret due to fear of being rejected or stigmatized, ending up missing lifetime opportunities and some living in depression.
As a founder of the Epilepsy Association of Zambia, Anthony worked as an Epilepsy Specialist at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital in Lusaka until his demise in 2020 from Covid-19 pandemic that claimed thousands of lives across the continent.
Anthony also spearheaded the epilepsy clinic at the government health institutions in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
Besides that, Anthony had a private practice- the Country Travellers’ Health Care Clinic- which specialised in psychiatry and epilepsy, reaching out to many patients during his line of duty.
His legacy has lived on, as many epilepsy patients and families have continued to receive necessary support from this facility.
His work was noticed among his peers in the health circles, where he served as the African Regional Committee from 2005 to 2009 and his International Executive Committee for the last 11 years at the International Bureau for Epilepsy.
He served as Vice President for the African Region from 2009 to 2017 and then as Treasurer from 2017 until his passing in 2020.
During his time, Anthony worked tirelessly on behalf of the epilepsy and those who care for them for a better future.
Thus, he was recognised by the International Bureau of Epilepsy, for his particular focus on championing the pride of the epilepsy community in Africa and, as a result of his efforts, many International Bureau Chapters in the region were supported through the Promising Strategies Programme in a range of projects.
These were aimed at improving quality of life through training, advocacy and employment opportunities.
Remembered across the world, Anthony was a firm believer, fought hard in ensuring that African governments prioritize epilepsy and pushed the epilepsy agenda.
Born in 1954, in Mwense, Luapula Province, Anthony was also a member of the Mental Health Association of Zambia.
Given the many challenges faced by the epilepsy support group in Zambia, he led and guided the association through difficult times, suggesting solutions to ensure tremendous progress.
Even in his death, Anthony was awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award 2021’ by the International Bureau Epilepsy Africa.
The award recognizes individuals, programmes and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made outstanding contributions.
“We honour leadership, advocacy, research, policy and practice that further diversify and create more inclusive communities for the people with epilepsy and their families,” the Association stated.
It indicated that the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to individuals making a life commitment to serving people with epilepsy and their families.
“Anthony’s contribution goes beyond epilepsy as he served persons with disabilities for the time he served as Board Member of the African Disability Alliance. It is through his support that many organizations with epilepsy in Africa got recognition by their governments.
“He also contributed to the discussions around the world Health Assembly Resolution 68.20 and lately on 73.10,” it stated.
Anthony will remembered on August 9, 2023, which marks the third year of his passing.
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