Music has healing powers: Lebanese hospital conducts concert for cancer patients

Music is food for the soul. It has an unusual power, a power that makes you forget the pain you’re experiencing. Even if it means for some time.

A Lebanese hospital brought music and medicine together on Friday in a concert for cancer patients.

Nurses and visitors listened in, while some doctors sat down to type up their notes as they soaked up the music.

Italian pianist Gloria Campaner played two of Beethoven's best known works – Moonlight Sonata and Fur Elise.

"Music has healing power, it gives hope," said Laura Lahoud from the Al-Bustan music and arts festivals that helped stage the recital at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre.

Patients sat in the front row, some with their IVs.

Nurses and visitors listened in, while some doctors sat down to type up their notes as they soaked up the music.

Cancer patients were among those who attended the concert by Italian pianist Gloria Campaner.

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"We are fighting disease with music," said Hala Dahdah Abou Jaber, president and co-founder of the medical centre's Cancer Support Fund, which helps adult cancer patients in need.

The World Bank has warned that the poverty rate in Lebanon could rise from a third to a half if the political crisis is not remedied fast.

As cash runs short at Lebanon’s banks, so has the patience of depositors. Hit by restrictions on withdrawals, some are taking extreme steps, occupying branches and in one case taking an employee hostage, to squeeze what they can from their accounts.

On the other had, Lebanon is looking to secure $4 billion - $5 billion in soft loans from international donors to finance purchases of wheat, fuel and medicines, Lebanese media reported.