A musician is serenading medics fighting the coronavirus outbreak in an Abu Dhabi hospital with a piece she penned to pay tribute to their “selfless service”.
Burjeel Hospital pianist Elenora Borisova, who is known as Nora Lee, was inspired after watching the doctors and nurses she sees every day treating patients.
Many were working longer shifts to treat Covid-19 patients and Ms Borisova wanted to do something to help boost their morale.
“Working in a hospital, I am a witness to the selfless services offered by doctors and nurses during these days” said the 31-year-old from Russia, who has been playing the piano since she was five.
"They are working longer hours, attending to each patient."
“I wanted to play something more relaxing.”
So she wrote up Music of Hope, a neoclassical style piece to help raise the spirits of doctors and visitors to the hospital.
“This is my tribute to all doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals across the world who are engaged in this battle,” she said.
Visitors to the hospital are fans of Ms Borisova’s composition and some even request her to play their favourite songs.
She is happy to oblige.
“It means a lot and adds value to what I do,” she said.
The hospital has employed a pianist since it opened in 2012, and Ms Borisova has worked as the resident musician for the past two years.
John Sunil, the chief executive of Burjeel Hospitals said the pandemic has been lonely for many people, even patients, who must be isolated from others.
“Here is where we see the magical power of music. We are getting a lot of responses from patients. Music, they say, is a stress buster and it cultivates hope,” he said.
Elsewhere in the UAE, a doctor spoke about her gratitude after members of Dubai Police saluted her instead of inspecting her papers in the early hours of Wednesday.
Writing on Twitter, Ayesha Sultana said she had just finished her shift at the hospital and was driving back home at 1am during the sterilisation drive when she was stopped by a police officer.
“I told him I'm a doctor returning from duty, and had all my papers to present to them.
“But he refused to check anything and gave me a salute. As a 🇦🇪 resident, this is the biggest day of my life THANKYOU,” she tweeted.
