JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 9 (Bernama) — Behind the stethoscope and the heavy responsibilities of being a medical doctor lies a gentle artistic soul within the Co-Founder of Jauhar Medical Clinic (JMC) and its Medical Director, Dr Amirul Syafiq Hishamudin, who currently oversees four clinic branches in the state.
Hailing from Muar, Johor, the 32-year-old Dr Amirul is not only known as a young doctor who has successfully expanded his clinic network, but is also recognised among patients and colleagues as a physician who embraces music — particularly the guitar — as part of his identity and as a humane approach to medical treatment.
The Muar-born doctor, who recently showcased his guitar skills by playing the song Sejati for Bernama, said that while everyone has their own approach, music and medicine are not two separate worlds for him, but rather complement each other.
“For me, music — especially the guitar — serves as a kind of coping mechanism to deal with stress. Everyone has their own way of relieving stress: some sing, some exercise, while I choose to play the guitar.
“At the same time, the holistic approach that underpins my belief in medicine makes me confident that healing begins with human touch, not merely with drug prescriptions. True treatment should not focus solely on curing symptoms, but must address the patient’s overall life aspects,” said the father of a four-year-old son.
“I have also played the guitar for patients, including children, often spontaneously — picking up the guitar and playing Happy Birthday for them. Although it may seem simple, it is actually a way of celebrating the patient.
“To me, patients do not only need medication… treatment also includes care, communication and positive body language. Sometimes, a simple song can become a form of emotional therapy that supports the healing process,” he said.
The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) graduate added that music also unites his soul and career, as he is actively involved in charitable and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including providing free medical treatment for the asnaf and Orang Asli communities, often accompanied by voluntary musical performances.
Owning more than 10 guitars priced from about RM300 to RM10,000, Dr Amirul said his interest in music — particularly the guitar — began since childhood, influenced by exposure to various genres through his parents.
However, the guitar only truly became part of his life after completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), following excellent results, in line with his family’s wishes — especially those of his mother, Suhana Shamsi — who wanted the eldest of two siblings to prioritise academic success.
“I now own more than 10 guitars, each with its own sentimental value. The first guitar I bought around 2010 is still carefully kept because it holds many memories, including the signatures of local music legends such as Datuk Awie and Joe Branko.
“However, the most valuable guitar is my dream guitar — a Gibson custom-ordered from Nashville, United States — which cost about RM30,000 and took more than a year to complete. Its value lies not just in the price, but in the journey of owning it,” he said.
Now managing four Jauhar Medical Clinic branches around Johor Bahru, Dr Amirul said the decision to open his own clinic after serving in a government hospital from 2018 to 2023 was far from easy and required significant sacrifice.
He admitted going through difficult phases without receiving a salary, sleeping at the clinic for several days, and working day and night to ensure the clinic’s operations continued.
Today, through perseverance and commitment to service quality, JMC employs nearly 50 staff members, including about 25 doctors. Most of its branches have also received five-star ratings on Google Reviews, reflecting high patient satisfaction.
By 2034, he aims to open at least 20 clinic branches across Johor, with the goal of ensuring every district has access to quality healthcare services at affordable prices — including his hometown of Muar.
“There is nothing wrong with dreaming. What matters is striving your best and trying to combine your passion with what you do. Blessings come in many forms, sometimes unexpectedly,” he said.
— BERNAMA