Busy Signal’s charity to aid St Ann, Jamaica hospital

BY BRIAN BONITTO Associate Editor

NEXT month, dancehall deejay Busy Signal will be embarking on his latest project — the Busy 20/20 Helping Hands Foundation Limited.

According to the dancehall artiste, the venture is for a much-needed cause.

“My priority is the St Ann’s Bay Hospital. It is in need of vital X-ray/CAT scan equipment for detecting cancer. It costs roughly $12 million,” Busy Signal told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

The foundation — which was registered last year — will be officially launched at the Jewel Dunn’s River Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios on April 2.

Busy Signal, whose given name is Reanno Gordon, explained his reason for taking on this project.

“This is the hospital I was born in. The majority of people from St Ann are farmers and they don’t have the money fi go private hospital. So mi haffi help inna my way and give back. Dem need the help,” he said.

The artiste said he is aware that he alone cannot do it, and therefore welcomes assistance from corporate Jamaica.

Jamaica’s health sector has been haemorrhaging for years from a shortage of vital equipment, beds, gloves, gauzes and manpower.

Several charities including We Care Foundation and Shaggy and Friends Foundation have rallied to the hospital’s aid. However, the sector remains in dire straits.

“Government a government. We haffi help inna our way. Nobody is excluded from sickness,” he said.

With regard to his career, Busy Signal said he has a double album pending.

“We haven’t finalised the name yet, but we’re looking at about August-September. In the meantime, we’re focusing on some visuals because people want to see what they’re buying. We’re shooting three videos today [Friday]… Welcome, Text Message, and Kuff,” he said.

Busy Signal is known for hits including Watch Out Fi This, Come Over, Badman Place and Nah Go Jail Again.

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