ABU DHABI // Happiness is not something you normally associate with hospitals.
But that is something Jumanha Al Hayayi wants to change.
The 27-year-old Emirati spends a great deal of her spare time visiting hospitals, not just in the UAE but all over the world, in a bid to bring cheer to the patients.
“I firmly believe that medication is not everything; 70 per cent of healing is psychological,” she said.
“When I was a child my mother used to take to me hospitals with her. She would bring the patients’ gifts which would help in their recovery.
“She would try her best to make them feel better within themselves.
“I saw suffering as a child and I cannot forget that so I have now taken over that mantle from my mother.”
Ms Al Hayayi, project manager for Etihad Airways, wants to bring more entertainment and music into UAE hospitals as way of therapy for patients.
She is kick-starting this by helping stage a music concert at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Khalifa Medical City next month in which five of the Gulf regions’s most talented musicians — including the famed Emirati oud player Faisal Al Saari — are taking part.
“When I visit other countries I like to go to the local hospitals with gifts for the patients,” said Ms Al Hayayi.
It is remarkable what good simple gestures can do. I will talk to them, try to find out what makes them happy. This is my hobby, my goal in life.”
At “The Music of Healing” concert Mr Al Saari will be joined on stage by the Russian concert pianist Ulia Podsekaeva, Russian harpist Olga Efimova, the British soprano Louise Merrifield and the Italian violinist Luca Blasio of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra.
Ms Al Hayayi’s dream is to reduce the number of people travelling out of the UAE to receive hospital treatment.
“I want them to stay here in our wonderful hospitals to receive not only the best medical treatment but the most comfortable stay,” she said. “I believe bringing entertainment to hospitals — whether it be a musical concert or local dancing, or magic shows or even cartoon characters for the children — would be of great benefit to the well-being of patients in UAE hospitals.
“Why should Emiratis have to travel to the UK, Singapore, the US to get treated when they can have the best there is here in the UAE.”
She is supporting the concert together with organiser Gina Kim, of Al Najim Culture and Events, Khalid Mohammed Saeed, the founder of Al Najim, and Reem Al Buainain, the Emirati founder of the Positive Cancer Foundation.
Ms Al Buainain said music played an important part in making all patients, including cancer sufferers, feel a lot happier.
Seven years ago Ms Buainain’s younger sister was diagnosed with cancer and it was this that inspired her to launch the foundation in 2011.
“Music is a very simple language understood by everyone and all ages,” said Ms Al Buainain.
“In some ways, everyone is touched by music. It can bring renewed hope for patients.
“Music may lessen anxiety in cancer patients and improve their overall quality of life, according to a new analysis of previously published research.”
Both Ms Al Hayayi and Ms Al Buainain hope that “The Music of Healing” concert will be the first of many in hospitals all over the UAE.
“Why should this be the only one,” said Ms Hayayi. “It will be wonderful for the patients at SKMC and it would be wonderful to entertain as many patients as it is possible, not just here in Abu Dhabi but all over the country.
“Everyone deserves to feel happy while in hospital.”
The concert at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City Auditorium begins at 10am on Thursday November 6 and admission is free.
jbell@thenational.ae
