Born in December 1944, 23rd December to be exact married and survived by two children, the late man attended the Hastings Rural Primary School, the Sierra Leone Grammar School in Freetown, and got his professional education in Russia and the UK. He worked for the Sierra Leone Government Ministry of Health and Sanitation in the Bonthe and other districts, later posted to the TB Chest Clinic Department at the Connaught hospital for a satisfactory period until he retired voluntarily to start his private enterprise In Freetown.
The soft-spoken 72 year old doctor was very passionate in building a resilient human resource for health in all government health facilities across the country. When he was appointed to face Parliament upon his appointment, he said my message to them will be “I will ensure job commitment, dedication to service and above all efficiency in promoting a sound health care delivery system in Sierra Leone”.
His death came as a big shock to the family, family friends and members of the Commission and the Health Ministry. A man who left his home without any symptom of illness, worked with the usual energy and strength in his office, finished laying on desk his time-out office apparatus in the evening, only to learn that at a moment in Murray Town, he got an attack and died on his seat belt. The death was unbelievable and could not be judged in any degree of certainty at that tragic point, but it later became a reality and a disaster for his family, friends and members and staff of the Health Service Commission at the Intensive Care Unit of the Choithram Hospital where the death was re-confirmed.
Health and Sanitation Minister, Dr. Abu Bakarr Fofanah in his tribute at the opening ceremony of the Health Service Commission’s Book of Condolence described Dr. Bundu-Kamara as a “father, a good adviser, a mentor and a strong pillar of support to his current appointment and the Health Ministry.
Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Secretariat, Dr. Ernest Surrur described the late veteran doctor as a man that is always committed to his job.
Chairman, Public Service Commission, Mr. Max Sesay said they dearly missed a man who usually discussed strategic issues surrounding policies, strengthening of the human resource for health, describing him as “The Voice of experience”.
The Secretary General, Sierra Leone Health Services Workers Union and Commissioner Health Service Commission, Mr. Ansu Kallon in his tribute described Dr. Bundu-Kamara’s sudden and tragic departure as a missing invaluable treasure, a critical departure with tears of sorrow, and a terrible loss to the Commission.
Commissioner Health Service Commission, Rev. Raymond Ajibola Williams described the late Dr. BUndu-Kamara as a very knowledgeable man, a God-fearing and faithful servant. He said his death was painful and sad, describing it as a past reality of life, and a retrospective view of our life on planet earth.
The younger and only blood brother left in the family, Tutor School of Nursing, College of Medicines and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) University of Sierra Leone, Mr. Abdul Cham-Bundu described his late brother as a protector in the family who taught them not to be dependent but self- reliant. He told mourners that his brother is not ethnic biased and worked 24 hours round the clock. “He slept a little”, he said.
Dr. Bundu, we are confident that your soul is in Heaven. Sleep and take your rest.
