Rhazes AI Pioneers Healthcare AI in Low-Resource settings: A Pilot Program in Lebanon
For years, the promise of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare has largely focused on optimizing systems within well-funded, technologically advanced environments. But what about the billions globally who lack access too even basic healthcare infrastructure? Rhazes AI, a company founded on the principle of equitable access, is tackling this challenge head-on with a groundbreaking pilot program at Al Hamshari Hospital in Lebanon.
As co-founder and CEO Zaid Al-Fagih explains, this initiative isn’t just about implementing technology; it’s about providing a lifeline to a population with limited or no other healthcare options. “It caters for a population that has no other source of healthcare,” he states, highlighting the critical need for innovative solutions.
The Burden on Healthcare Professionals in Crisis Zones
Al Hamshari Hospital, staffed primarily by dedicated Palestinian doctors, serves a community facing immense challenges. These physicians routinely manage a staggering caseload – approximately 60 patients per day - yet find themselves burdened by an equally significant administrative load.Al-Fagih points out the stark reality: “For every hour a doctor spends with a patient, they spend two hours doing paperwork.” This imbalance directly impacts patient care and contributes to physician burnout.
Recognizing this critical pain point, Rhazes AI developed an agentic AI platform designed to alleviate this administrative burden and empower doctors to focus on what matters most: their patients.Though, Al-Fagih acknowledges a key limitation of current AI solutions. ”AI currently only exists in point solutions for specific modalities and so on.” Rhazes AI aims to move beyond fragmented tools and deliver a complete, integrated solution.
Why low-resource Environments are the Next Frontier for Healthcare AI
The Lebanon hospital isn’t simply a convenient testing ground; it represents a strategic opportunity to validate the platform’s efficacy in a uniquely challenging environment. “AI in healthcare is usually used in highly resourced environments such as the UK, US and UAE,” Al-Fagih observes. “It is actually very rarely studied in low-resource environments, which is probably where the biggest marginal gain can be made.”
This is a crucial point. The potential for impact is exponentially greater in settings where even modest improvements in efficiency and access can dramatically alter patient outcomes. Rhazes AI’s platform is specifically designed to adapt to these constraints, requiring minimal existing infrastructure.A Rigorous Clinical Trial Approach
The pilot program at Al Hamshari Hospital is being conducted with the rigor of a clinical trial. doctors have been divided into two groups: one utilizing the Rhazes AI tool, and a control group continuing with traditional methods. This allows for a direct comparison of key metrics, including:
Patient Throughput: The number of patients seen over a given period. Patient Outcomes: Mortality rates, admission rates, and overall health improvements.
Record Keeping Quality: Completeness, accuracy, and accessibility of patient records.
Staff & Patient Satisfaction: Measuring the impact on both the healthcare providers and those they serve.
How Rhazes AI is Empowering Doctors on the Ground
The Rhazes AI platform provides end-to-end support, streamlining critical workflows:
real-time Transcription: Automatically transcribes patient consultations, eliminating the need for manual note-taking.
Diagnostic Reasoning Assistance: Provides doctors with AI-powered insights to aid in accurate diagnoses.
Evidence-Based Management Plans: Generates tailored treatment plans based on the latest medical guidelines.
Automated Documentation: Creates structured summaries, admission notes, billing codes, and insightful patient record analyses.
“They are using it to write their notes, they are using it to get help on clinical decisions, and to help them access evidence-based guidelines,” Al-Fagih explains. This access is notably vital in a low-budget setting where doctors previously relied on frequently enough-outdated and challenging-to-customize open-source resources.
Overcoming the Data Challenge
Implementing AI in a paper-based system presents unique hurdles. Al-Fagih acknowledges the significant challenge of data collection. ”It is indeed actually very difficult to get proper data on how well we are doing in that environment where everything was done using paper previously.” To overcome this, Rhazes AI is leveraging doctors’ personal devices in a secure and compliant manner, demonstrating a commitment to adaptability and resourcefulness.
This pilot builds on previous accomplished trials in the UK and UAE, where the platform is
