Shaggy foundation and partners deliver more than 260 hospital beds after Hurricane Melissa

Seven months after Hurricane Melissa, a coordinated bed donation drive is helping public hospitals across Jamaica tackle overcrowding and rebuild capacity following storm damage.

Facilities from Sav-la-Mar Hospital in Westmoreland to Cornwall Regional in St. James, Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover, and Mandeville Regional Hospital in Manchester have already received dozens of beds. Under the ongoing initiative, 80 beds are being supplied across medical, surgical, and operating-theatre services.

In all, more than 260 beds have been delivered through a partnership between Just a Bunch of Roadies Jabour, Project C.U.R.E., and the Shaggy Make a Difference Foundation. Health administrators say the units will replace ageing ward beds and support repairs aimed at strengthening clinical spaces for future care.

The Ministry of Health said several hospitals were heavily damaged when Melissa struck. Managers found workarounds to limit disruption to services, but many sites still struggle because there are not enough beds for the number of patients requiring care.

Entertainer Orville Shaggy Burrell said the effort has so far provided US$3 million in medical aid, with more assistance on the way. Black River and Falmouth hospitals are expected to receive container shipments, though final delivery points will depend on each institution's readiness and capacity to accept the goods.

Bustamante Hospital for Children in St. Andrew has received the largest share of the support. Chief Executive Officer Anthony Wood is monitoring the deliveries. Shaggy noted his long-standing personal connection to the hospital, and staff said they remain committed to improving the quality of care for patients.

Staff at the facility said the donation was timely and would benefit all wards.

Requests for current bed-capacity figures from Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton about some of the most affected hospitals did not yield numbers at the time of enquiry. A follow-up response from the minister indicated the information was still being collated, with a pledge to provide the data as soon as possible.