Dhs1 million raised for regional boost of medical education, research

DUBAI: A one-year collaboration of medicine and music between two philanthropic entities for the advancement of medical research and education not only in the UAE, but region-wide as well has raised Dhs1 million.

Specifically, the well-attended one night classical music performance of the World Doctors Orchestra at Dubai Opera on Thursday evening paved the way for the realisation of the first multi-disciplinary medical research centre in the Gulf to be set up by the Al Jalila Foundation.

Al Jalila Foundation is the global non-profit charitable organisation established in 2013 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to promote medical education and research programmes in the UAE.

The World Doctors Orchestra is composed of 100 medical doctors from 50 countries—volunteers all—who periodically meet up for performances to support initiatives of medical charity organisations. Their debut performance in the UAE and in the region is their 21st outing since establishment in 2007 by German cardiologist-researcher-violinist Dr. Stefan Willich.

The event coincided with the fifth anniversary of the Al Jalila Foundation. It premiered the “Positive Spirit” poetry of Sheikh Mohammed with music by Dubai Chamber Orchestra director Jonathan Barrett and interpreted by 68 medical doctors-musicians—25 violinists, 13 viola players, eight cellists, five double bass players, three flutists, two oboe players, two clarinet players, two bassoonists, two French horn players, two trumpet players, three trombone players, and one timpani player—from 15 countries under the baton of Willich.

Foundation-Board of Directors chairman/Board of Trustees member Dr. Raja Easa Saleh Al Gurg said: “We are extremely honoured by the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and privileged to hear the renowned orchestra perform the world premier of ‘Positive Spirit’ at the magnificent Dubai Opera.

“We are grateful to each of the brilliant physicians for taking the time from their medical profession to share their talent and passion for music, and to use it to raise funds to advance medical research in the UAE.

“This harmony of Medicine and music is a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary.” The audience that represents the multi-ethnicity of the UAE was indeed mesmerised by the performances.

Among the most applauded was the rendition of the “Allegretto non troppo-Allegro molto vivace from the three-part “Violin Concerto” of Felix Mendelssohn by the physicians-musicians with Dubai Chamber Orchestra international award-winning violinist/concertmaster Klaudia Olborska-Szymanska.

That led to a 10-minute encore by 23-year-old Olborska-Szymanska for which Dinu Soman of Sharjah said: “How could one stand gracefully for almost 50 minutes and play the violin so excellently.”

Soman was invited by his church mate Danish Masih, a friend of cellist Johannes Chang from Bonn, Germany. For Masih, the coming together of people from different countries, cultures and faiths for the good cause of expanding the realms of Medicine is being humane and God-like.

Internal Medicine specialist Chang is looking forward to another trip to the country, having been fascinated by Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He was grateful to God for allowing him to make the 40th wedding anniversary of his parents ultra-special not only with a visit to the UAE but with his performance for a good cause.

Willich said: “The vibrant city of Dubai, with its flourishing arts and culture scene, is the perfect backdrop for this unique melody of music and Medicine in concert.”

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