Bounty Killer, DJ Khaled give boost to western hospitals

Four hospitals in western Jamaica have received an $8-million boost to their operations through a major philanthropic initiative in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Dancehall recording artiste Bounty Killer, given name Rodney Price, 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. The beneficiary institutions are the Savanna-la-Mar 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 CEO, Roan Grant, described the artistes as "benevolent givers" and expressed gratitude for the donation.

"The $2 million given to the hospital will be put to tremendous use, where we will use it in getting two arterial blood gas (ABG) machines. Those are some point of care machines that will hasten diagnoses for patients in the A and E (Accident and Emergency) Department, as well as the paediatric ward," he indicated.

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.

According to the CEO, the new portable ABG machines will prove invaluable in adverse conditions, as the handheld equipment is readily accessible to doctors across multiple departments, adding "we want to thank everybody for [this donation]".

Head of the A and E Department, Dr Jevayne Mills, echoed similar sentiments of gratitude. He indicated that the new equipment will play a critical role in patient care, emphasising that the machines are essential for swift diagnoses and guiding the appropriate measures for patients.

"I am really grateful. So, on behalf of the A and E Department, the Paediatric Department, as well as Savanna-la-Mar Public General Hospital and the wider Westmoreland community, I'd like to thank you, Mr Price," Mills said.

Meanwhile, Bounty Killer underscored the multisectoral challenges and dislocation caused by the passage of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on October 28. As such, he said he and DJ Khaled prioritised the health sector, recognising its critical importance in national recovery.

"When I saw those field hospitals put up after the hurricane, I said the first initiative is go to the hospitals," Bounty Killer added.

He also highlighted the resilience of healthcare workers and announced plans to donate care packages as part of upcoming initiatives.