Abu Dhabi hospitals turn to AI to reduce paperwork and free up doctors for patient care

“We are currently building a new patient journey which allows the doctor to spend a lot more time engaged in a meaningful conversation with the patient vs behind a computer screen,” said Christopher Habib, Chief Strategy Officer at NMC Healthcare, speaking at the Future Health Summit 2026.

AI as a tool, not a goal

For Habib, the technology is a means to an end. “AI itself is not the objective. The objective is a patient spending less time dealing with administration, a clinician spending more time with their patient,” he said, underlining the need for the right information to be available when clinical decisions are taken, so that care can be tailored to each individual.

Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Group Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Holdings, described a similar priority. AI tools in areas such as clinical documentation and workflow automation are helping “improve efficiency and free up more time for patient care,” he said.

He was clear about the role of AI in the clinical setting. “AI is not replacing radiologists or physicians. It acts as an additional layer of support, helping teams work faster and more efficiently,” Dr. Fityan stated.

Connected care and the patient journey

According to Dr. Fityan, the difference is that care feels joined up. “Information would follow them throughout their journey, reducing delays and unnecessary repetition,” he said.

These efforts, he added, would ultimately help patients feel that their care is connected rather than fragmented across multiple services.

Habib stressed that technology works best alongside a long-term relationship with a doctor. “AI is not a substitute for good primary care,” he said. “The combination of good data, AI and a doctor who understands the patient over time is where I believe the real opportunity lies.”

His advice for residents is simple: “Don’t wait until you are sick to engage with healthcare. Find a primary care physician you trust, see them regularly and follow the screening recommendations appropriate for your age, medical history and individual risk factors.”

Abu Dhabi’s broader healthcare push

Both experts linked the shift to the emirate’s wider healthcare strategy. Dr. Fityan pointed to investment in genomics, precision medicine and clinical research, led by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and partners across the sector.

For residents, he said, that means “greater access to advanced treatments, specialist expertise, and innovative care closer to home.”

According to Habib, Abu Dhabi’s strength is access. “In many developed healthcare systems today, patients face significant capacity constraints and delays in accessing specialists, diagnostics or treatment,” he noted. “Abu Dhabi has built substantial healthcare capacity while continuing to invest in prevention, precision medicine, genomics and AI.”

He added that the emirate has been particularly ambitious about bringing healthcare, life sciences, technology and regulation into the same conversation.

For an ordinary resident, the result should be tangible, in his opinion: “better access, earlier diagnosis and more years lived in good health.”