Chinese hospital consoles patients with piano

NANCHANG - A hospital in East China's Jiangxi province started a music campaign on Thursday to console its patients by playing the piano.

Cai Wenyao, a physician from Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, opened the one-hour concert with "Dream Wedding" played on a black piano in the outpatient hall after checking the wards.

"I never expected that my hobby could be integrated with my job at the hospital," said the 27-year-old doctor. "I believe the music can relieve pressure from the patients."

Patients were intrigued by the music played by 12 volunteers, including doctors, pharmacists and nurses.

"It is the first time I have seen a doctor play the piano for us at the hospital," said Liu Yiwu, a 76-year-old man. "It is amazing."

"The special concert warmed us on such a cold winter day," said Chen Yifang, a 17-year-old patient.

A concert will be performed every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Besides the piano, other instruments including the violin and accordion will be introduced, said Cai Xiaoji, Party chief of the hospital.

More than 20 volunteers have applied for the concerts, including primary school students and pregnant women, he said.

The hospital has more than 1 million outpatient visits every year, according to Yuan Xihong, head of its outpatient department.