Transforming Healthcare in Conflict Zones: AI Scribes at Al Hamshari Hospital
A New Era in Medical Assistance
In southern Lebanon, an increasingly pressing healthcare crisis is unfolding. Hospitals are stretched thin, often juggling high patient volumes exceeding available beds. Amid this backdrop, Al Hamshari Hospital, a key facility catering to thousands of displaced Palestinian refugees, is initiating a groundbreaking change with the integration of artificial intelligence—specifically, an AI clinical scribe.
Unveiling a Unique Initiative
The UK-Qatar healthtech innovator, Rhazes AI, has launched a pilot program at Al Hamshari Hospital, making history as the first structured deployment of AI scribes within a conflict zone. Managed by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, this hospital is situated near Ein el-Hilweh, Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp. With just 80 beds, 56 physicians, and 31 nursing staff, the hospital serves over 4,000 patients monthly, frequently performing hundreds of surgeries during crises.
Meeting the Rising Demand
The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and southern Lebanon have exacerbated healthcare demands, resulting in increased patient influx and tragic casualties. Doctors here often find themselves tending to up to 60 patients daily, performing the roles of generalists, specialists, and emergency physicians simultaneously. The burden of documentation consumes countless hours, reducing the time available for patient care.
The Power of AI Support
Thanks to Rhazes AI, clinicians at Al Hamshari are now equipped with AI assistants that provide real-time transcription of consultations, aiding in diagnostic reasoning, and generating structured medical records almost instantly. This pilot, scheduled from August to November 2025, aims to evaluate its effects on documentation efficiency, physician confidence, and patient throughput.
How AI Scribes Operate
At their essence, AI scribes serve as digital allies in the healthcare setting, specifically crafted to listen, learn, and document doctor-patient interactions. Unlike traditional dictation software, these tools do much more than just jot down words. Rhazes AI’s platform transcribes appointments in real time, streams information into structured medical notes, and proposes subsequent actions based on established clinical guidelines.
Key Features of Rhazes AI Scribes
The capabilities of AI scribes include:
- Real-time transcription that uses context-aware structuring for clarity.
- Decision support by offering differential diagnoses and evidence-based treatment suggestions.
- Automated documentation throughout the care process, from admission notes to billing codes.
- Seamless integration with existing hospital systems, allowing data to flow into electronic patient records without necessitating high-end infrastructure.
This technology dramatically reduces administrative workload—previous studies indicate reductions exceeding 60%—while lowering the chances of overlooking vital details in high-pressure situations.
Enhancing Human Expertise
Importantly, Rhazes AI emphasizes that these scribes are not meant to replace healthcare professionals but rather to enhance human expertise. By managing mundane documentation, they allow physicians to devote their energies to what genuinely matters: patient care.
Insights from the Innovators
Dr. Zaid Al-Fagih, co-founder and CEO of Rhazes AI, elaborated on the project’s motivation:
“This collaboration seeks to place resources typically reserved for high-tech hospitals into the hands of frontline clinicians. Such innovation doesn’t need to wait for ideal conditions; it must start where it’s most urgently needed.”
A Support System, Not a Replacement
Dr. Al-Fagih stressed the project’s intent isn’t to replace healthcare staff but to surround them with comprehensive support:
“Every second counts when a young doctor is handling numerous complex cases daily. Rhazes AI helps minimize uncertainty, allowing medical professionals to focus on their patients.”
Bridging the Equity Gap
Dr. Al-Fagih also highlighted a significant equity aspect:
“In an era where AI can contribute to inequality, this initiative demonstrates how technology can close that gap.”
Personal Connection to the Mission
Rola Soboh, a Rhazes AI associate, described the profound impact of the pilot on her:
“Having worked on various research and humanitarian initiatives centered on refugee healthcare in Lebanon, this project resonates deeply with me. Al Hamshari isn’t just a hospital; it embodies hope for entire communities.”
Significance of This Initiative
This deployment transcends a mere pilot program—it serves as a crucial test case for evaluating whether AI can authentically democratize healthcare. While AI scribes have shown their utility in affluent hospitals, their potential impact is magnified in conflict-stricken areas. Each second saved not only equates to additional patients treated but can also direct more lives toward health and hope.
Adapting Technology for Fragile Systems
The introduction of AI in Al Hamshari Hospital challenges the premise that advanced technology is exclusive to high-resource settings. It proves that AI can thrive in fragile healthcare infrastructures, adapting effectively to urgent needs.
Envisioning a Global Shift
What Rhazes AI is testing in Lebanon might signal the onset of a global transformation. If AI scribes can prove successful in an overstretched hospital, its capabilities could extend to every corner of the globe—from refugee camps and rural clinics to overwhelmed urban emergency departments.
A Future Integrated with AI
As we look forward, the path is clear: software must become as integral to frontline healthcare as traditional medical tools like stethoscopes. This future entails ensuring that clinicians working in conflict zones, disaster-hit areas, or underserved regions won’t trail behind in the AI evolution.
The Rise of Steadfast Healthcare Systems
The envisioned future entails scalable AI systems designed to help healthcare professionals document, strategize, and deliver care promptly, even amidst crumbling infrastructure. By lightening the administrative burdens that wear down healthcare providers, these advancements can enhance healthcare resilience as global challenges multiply.
Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope
The pilot program at Al Hamshari Hospital may seem modest, yet its implications are vast. It illustrates the potential of innovation in wartime settings, demonstrating that technology doesn’t wait for ideal circumstances but seeks out pressing needs. If this guiding principle shapes future AI developments, then these scribes could emerge as the unseen backbone of global healthcare—empowering doctors, safeguarding communities, and igniting hope where it is most needed.
