Being a Governmental and an Education Institution, RHUH has a double vocation, the provision of the best patient care to all Lebanese citizens as well as serving other patients coming from aboard, and providing high quality teaching and training programs that meet the international requirements of medical and paramedical education and research. These two vacations, in addition to the highly qualified medical and support stuff, the sophisticated equipment and the commitment to values make from RHUH the first and unique Hospital in Lebanon RHUH is one of the most comprehensive university hospitals in the Middle East and the biggest in Lebanon, with leading specialists in every field of medicine. With its dedicated staff, modern facilities, state-of-the-art technology, commitment to quality care, and role in educating future physicians, RHUH is earning a reputation as a healthcare leader. Whether providing specialty care to the tiniest newborns, performing complex cardiothoracic surgery, or offering comprehensive primary care, RHUH delivers excellence in healthcare with compassion and caring.

RHUH is ranked higher in more specialties than any other hospital in Lebanon. Its educational research vocation as a training center for medicine students and as post graduate establishment for specialization in the various medical branches, as well as its partnerships with related faculties of the Lebanese University and with other local and international faculties of medicine and health organizations make from RHUH , not only a first class hospital but one of the leader medical and health references in Lebanon and the Middle East.

The need for a governmental hospital in Beirut was an issue over 30 years ago.

On February 2, 1979 the Lebanese government released a decision to build a governmental hospital of 500 beds on a public owned property in Bir Hassan - Beirut. The decision was based on technical studies made by the minister of Health and the Minister of Public Works and Transportation.

Construction
Construction did not start until 1995 due to civil war and its consequences and it was finalized during 2000.

Finance
Since RHUH is a public institution its construction was financed by the Lebanese government through Ministry of Finance. Similar to all public constructions RHUH construction was handed to the Council of Development and Reconstruction – CDR- The construction and supplies of the hospital were financed by a low interest loan from the Saudi Development Fund and Islamic development Bank.

The four auxiliary buildings’ construction were financed by a grant from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia.

All medical and non-medical equipments were purchased through Islamic Development Bank by a low interest loan.

Management
The hospital is an independent public institution where it has its own board of directors and is under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Health which supervises the hospital’s function through its representative in the board.

Till date three Board of Directors were assigned on Sept. 2, 1998, June 25, 1999, and the current BOD on January 14, 2002.

Employment
On October 1, 2003 the first ten senior management were employed and since then the hospital is continuously employing staff upon needs. Today, there is over 300 staff in administration, medical, and paramedical departments who are constantly working to launch the inpatient hospitalization to meet the target of a fully operational hospital in a period of three years.

RHUH provides comprehensive care, from diagnosis to recovery, in the full range of medical and surgical subspecialties. Each day, the Hospital's physicians, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals manage various medical and surgical conditions. Their expertise is enhanced by the most advanced technologies. These professionals along with a dedicated technical and support staff bring a profound sense of commitment to the care they deliver around the clock.

At RHUH , the dedicated staff recognizes that when a person is sick, the entire family is affected. That is why the staff embraces family-centered care, welcoming involvement from the patients' families. Special services and programs are available to help both patients and their families in coping with what can be a stressful time in their lives.

RHUH is a leading teaching hospital affiliated with the Lebanese University and other private universities. It is as well prepared to be a post graduate establishment for medical specialization. Academic medicine, which combines education, research, and patient care, traditionally has been integral to the progress of medical advances and life-saving treatments. RHUH attracts leading physicians and surgeons; provides highly specialized services including burn, trauma and heart care; and treats patients with rare conditions. Physicians & Surgeons offer outstanding medical education to a big number of students in the country. Through its academic affiliates and other paramedical specialists are educated and trained to carry on the tradition of excellence and the commitment to innovative and compassionate care that are RHUH hallmarks.

Research plays an important role at RHUH , remarkable advances are expected from both laboratory studies and investigations of new therapies or medicines in the clinical phase. These investigations make it possible for the physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals of RHUH to offer patients more options for life-saving care and improved health.