The telemedicine project allows physicians from the two hospitals to conduct medical consultations via real-time video. It also helps physicians share data and diagnose patients without the need to be displaced.
The innovative project could be implemented because of a "point-to-point" high-speed 2-megabits-per-second broadband internet connection that was exclusively set up between the two hospitals. As a result, doctors at AUB could clearly examine a baby with a severe dermatological case and advise their colleagues in Nabatiyeh on some diagnostic tests that would help them identify and then treat the disease.

The Intel-sponsored telemedicine project is part of a larger initiative, the Partnership for Lebanon, which is meant to revitalize the country following the latest war in July 2006. The partnership includes five companies, Intel Corporation, Cisco Systems, GHAFARI Inc., Microsoft and Occidental Petroleum which have started providing critically needed resources to help bring long-term economic growth and stability to the country.
Introducing Intel as "a leading advocate of spreading education across the United States and the globe," Dr. Nadim Cortas, vice president for medical affairs and the dean of the the faculty of medicine and the medical center, said: "This project will facilitate our active participation in providing healthcare to remote areas in a more efficient and less costly manner."

"We are very excited to participate in this experiment in Lebanon," said Craig Barrett, Intel CEO. "Doctors can now, through this technology, use their medical knowledge to treat people not only nearby but wherever they may be."

Dr. Abdul Ghani Kibbi, chairperson of dematology at AUB, discussed the case with Dr. Bassam Ghanem, the baby's doctor in Nabatieh, as members of the Lebanese press corps, medical students and staff watched via monitor at AUB. Joining Dr. Kibbi were also Dr. Salman Mroueh, an associate professor of pediatrics and Dr. Fadi Bitar, a pediatric cardiologist, who made suggestions to Dr. Ghanem in his treatment of the baby's dermatological problems.
"The connection speed was very impressive," said Rabih Itani, who was helping coordinate the communications infrastructure for the project at AUB. Intel also contracted Triple C, a private information technology company, its partner in Lebanon, to help set up the infrastructure for the project.

Following the press event, the Intel delegation, led by Barrett, held a meeting with AUB President John Waterbury, Provost Peter Heath, VP Cortas, resigned Health Minister Mohammad Jawad Khalifeh, Dr. Adnan Mroueh, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology, and AUBMC Director Munthir Kuzayli.