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Four hospitals in western Jamaica have received a significant $8-million boost to their operations through a major philanthropic initiative in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Dancehall Artiste Bounty Killer, through his Bounty Foundation, and American music producer, DJ Khaled, via his We The Best Foundation, jointly donated $2 million each to the four hospitals on Monday (November 17).
The beneficiary institutions are SavannalaMar Public General Hospital in Westmoreland, Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, Falmouth Public General Hospital in Trelawny, and Cornwall Regional Hospital in St. James.
Savanna-la-Mar Hospital Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Roan Grant, described the artistes as “benevolent givers” and expressed gratitude for the donation.
He said the $2 million given to the hospital will be put to tremendous use, in getting two arterial blood gas (ABG) machines.
Mr. Grant noted that the hospital’s laboratory sustained significant damage during the hurricane, which tore away the tarmac and caused a “waterfall” inside, rendering the existing machinery inoperable for a period.
Meanwhile, Bounty underscored the multisectoral challenges and dislocation caused by the passage of Category Five Hurricane Melissa on October 28.
As such, he said he and DJ Khaled prioritised the health sector, recognising its critical importance in national recovery.
