CVA Councillor Profile – Dr Kabemba Evans Mwape

Q1. Tell us about you, your family and where you live?

I was born in a village in the northern part of Zambia but have lived in the capital city, Lusaka since I was 4 years. I did my primary, secondary and University education in Lusaka. I now work and still live in Lusaka with my family. I am married with four children, two sons and two daughters.

Q2. What is your favourite food?

My favourite food is nsima (pulp made from our staple food, maize meal) served with village chicken (cooked the local way) and pumpkin leaves (especially with groundnuts).

Q3. Do you have any favourite music?

I love reggae and country music.

Q4. What is your favourite sport?

My favourite sport is athletics. Was an athlete myself during my student days competing at national and international level in middle distance with my favourite race being the 1500m. Was national student’s champion in 800m, 1500m and 5000m and also represented my country at the World University Games twice in 800m and 1500m.

Q5. Tell up in a paragraph what your current veterinary position is.

I am a lecturer in the Department of Clinical Studies of the Samora Machel School of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zambia. I teach both undergraduate and post graduate students. For undergraduate students I teach and conduct practicals in large animal surgery, with preference for equine surgery, to clinical year students and also assist teaching equine medicine and reproduction. Because my research activities and interests are in zoonotic helminths, I teach post graduate students medical helminthology.
I am the tournament veterinarian for the Zambia Polocrosse Association and the veterinarian on call for the Zambia National Equestrian Federation.

Q6. What influenced you to become a veterinarian?

Before coming to the Vet School I had no idea who a veterinarian was. Vet School was actually my second choice. I had wanted to pursue a career in medicine and wanted to specialise in paediatrics. After first year at University I was quoted in the vet school and then realized that actually veterinary medicine was the thing for me and was very happy. And that’s how I became a veterinarian.

Q7. What do you enjoy most about being a veterinarian?

What I enjoy most is when I manage a sick animal and it recovers. Since our patients don’t talk, coming up with an aetiologic diagnosis is very satisfying. Dealing with a horse with colic is usually a challenge but when I work out the cause and institute the appropriate treatment and the horse recovers, that is a great achievement.

Q8. What are some of the main challenges for you and your national veterinary association?

In Zambia we lack modern diagnostic tools and therefore aetiologic diagnosis is usually a huge challenge. Another challenge is the abuse of drugs especially antibiotics by our farmers which may lead to serious issues with resistance. Strict regulations are only now being put in place and we hope that the rampant abuse of these drugs by farmers without veterinary supervision will be controlled.

Q9. How do you communicate to your organisation about the CVA and its activities?

As CVA Country Councillor I am given an opportunity to give a report at the Annual General Meeting during which I outline the activities of the CVA. By virtual of this position I am also the Editor of the Association’s monthly newsletter and I use this to also communicate the CVA activities.

Q10. How do you think the CVA can assist you in your Councillor Role?

The major concerns highlighted by our members is that they do not see direct benefits from our CVA membership especially with the lack of funding for projects from the Commonwealth Foundation as was the case in the past. Many would love to participate in relevant Continuous Professional Development programmes and if these can be organized under the auspices of the CVA then my role as Councillor will be deemed relevant.