Dancehall superstar Bounty Killer is set to hand over 60 beds to the Kingston Public and Victoria Jubilee hospitals in Kingston today.

The deejay said he decided to step in and play his part after seeing several heart-rending stories about the conditions of Jamaica’s health sector.

“As a thriving Jamaican who came from nothing to something, I know I had to give back. I also have a special connections with those two hospitals because not only was I born at Jubilee but in the late 80’s, when I got shot, KPH was where they took me,” Bounty Killer said.

“Over the years, everybody know me ‘The Poor People Governor’ and it is not just something that I say but it’s a lifestyle that I try to live by. We have to give in order to receive, my mother taught me those good values,” Bounty Killer added.

The Kingston Public Hospital

Interest in the health sector

The artiste said he has had the desire to start a foundation for sometime now and has had in interest in the health sector. He said that one his friend, a medical doctor who resides overseas, told him that he had the connections to get him the beds at an affordable price.

“We had to start the giving from somewhere so I went ahead and got the beds for the hospital. It did cost a bit of money but I got them into the country hassle-free as I got a waiver from the finance ministry. We see Shaggy adopting the Bustamante Hospital and if the children hospital is in such need, you can just imagine what is happening at the adult ones. We have to realize that all of us are going to age, so as it relates to the  education, security and health facilities, the public needs to help it if they can,” he said.

The Shaggy and Friend 2018 concert, held last month, raised J$100 million for the Bustamante Hospital for Children.

Dr Natalie Whylie, senior medical officer at KPH, said the staff and management of the hospital are extremely grateful for the donation.

“He is like the Shaggy of KPH.  Currently, both hospitals are running beyond its full potential  and is in dire need of assistance. There is a long list of things that we need but those that comes to mind are like patient monitors, ECG machines, stretchers, blood pressure machine, and so on,” she said.

“There are a lot of old beds here so we will be getting rid of some of the really old ones and replace them with the new ones that Bounty has donated. We really can’t thank Bounty enough for his contribution and we are just hoping that others will follow suit,” she said.

And for Bounty Killer, today’s donation will be the start of what he has to offer to the health industry.

“Whenever I have something, I will be stretching out my arms in giving because everyone knows that is how we receive our blessings. People always get up and blame the Government but they are not playing their part in society. If we want a better Jamaica, we have to help the Government, ” he said.