A Conqueror of Death: The Zambian Nurse Who Defied All Odds, Complete recovery with advanced treatment at KIMS Hospital

Extraordinary self-belief, unwavering hope, and world-class medical care came together to turn a 27-year-old nurse from Zambia into a true conqueror of death. Her name is Mumba Margaret. She was diagnosed with one of the most aggressive and life-threatening blood cancers—Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The cancer was first detected in September 2023. Doctors advised that she required highly advanced treatment and a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant. Determined to survive at any cost, she travelled thousands of miles and reached KIMS Hospital, Secunderabad, seeking hope and life.

Mumba Margaret’s treatment journey was far from easy. Even before the stem cell transplant could be performed, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis. During treatment, the leukemia relapsed, making another round of chemotherapy necessary. In the meantime, she suffered multiple severe infections. Despite facing countless complications, Mumba remained hospitalized for nearly 40 days, fighting with remarkable courage and resilience. Details of her condition and the treatment provided were shared by Dr. Narendra Kumar Thota, Head of the Hemato-Oncology Department, Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist at KIMS Hospital, along with his team.

On June 19, 2025, Mumba Margaret underwent her first stem cell transplant at KIMS Hospital. However, post-transplant, she developed extremely rare and life-threatening complications that occur in only a very small number of patients. One of them was dyselectrolytemia, a condition where levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride in the blood rise dangerously. This can lead to severe weakness, nausea, vomiting, seizures, kidney failure, and other serious risks. She also developed febrile neutropenia, a condition marked by a drastic reduction in white blood cells that fight infections. Additionally, her heart and lung functions were severely compromised.

She further suffered from Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), which caused sudden headaches, seizures, blurred vision, confusion, loss of consciousness, and swelling in the posterior part of the brain.

At one point, it seemed there was almost no chance of survival. Mumba experienced more than seven cardiac arrests, requiring repeated CPR to revive her. Each time, the stem cell transplant team, critical care specialists, and cardiology teams made relentless efforts to save her life. Alongside this extraordinary medical intervention, Mumba herself displayed incredible mental strength and an unyielding will to live. The highest standards of medical care, coordinated multidisciplinary treatment, advanced technology, and constant vigilance by the medical teams at KIMS ultimately turned the tide in her favour.

Today, Mumba Margaret stands as a symbol of hope. Having conquered aggressive leukaemia and survived a series of life-threatening complications, she has reclaimed her life. After months of intensive treatment, she is now healthy and stable. She is fully prepared to return to her home country, Zambia, with renewed strength. With the joy of reuniting with her family and the dream of resuming her nursing profession, she is ready to begin a new chapter of life.

Mumba’s journey is a testament to the power of modern medicine and the unwavering commitment of the KIMS Oncology Department. The dedication of the haematology and stem cell transplant teams, combined with the extraordinary courage of this young nurse, secured her future. Her life story proves that courage has no limits—and that with the right treatment and strong hope, even the toughest battles can be won.