Internationally acclaimed artiste Busy Signal is gearing up to launch his Busy (2020) Helping Hands Foundation on April 2.

The foundation will be launched at Jewel's Dunn's River Resort and will focus on implementing sustainable programmes to improve education, health and the standard of living for persons in St Ann.

Busy told THE STAR that the first mission being undertaken will be refurbishing the Imaging and Medical Department of the St Ann's Bay Hospital.

"I was born in that hospital, so, after doing our research and surveys, we realised that, that part of the island has been somewhat neglected. They really are in need of help. The machines there are oftentimes non-functional and, because it is a farming parish, many persons do not have the resources to visit a private doctor or private hospital," he said.

The 2020 Helping Hands Foundation will turn its attention to getting an X-ray machine, a mammography machine, and a computerised tomography (CT) machine.

He noted that the X-ray machine was of utmost importance, though costly. The machine costs about J$12 million.

Busy said that he will be reaching out to corporate Jamaica to assist and will also be making a personal donation to the hospital.

"I'll be rendering my talent in the form of shows, etc, in order to meet this need ... . Many are depending on these machines. I'm just playing my part as a citizen. I've been very blessed, and I just want to give back from the blessings I've received," he said.