ChatGPT, internet searches and ‘dhuk dhuk’: Rajnath Singh highlights challenges of self-diagnosis for doctors
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has cautioned against the growing trend of using ChatGPT and internet searches for self-diagnosis. He noted that while health awareness is positive, relying on online information can lead to unnecessary anxiety and miscommunication between patients and doctors.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of AI tools and public health, emphasizing the risks of medical misinformation and the importance of professional clinical consultation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (August 22, 2026) spoke about the growing tendency among people to turn to the internet and ChatGPT to diagnose their ailments, and, on a lighter note, narrated how patients in rural areas often describe symptoms to doctors in ways that can make diagnosis challenging.
Addressing the inauguration of a Mahajan Imaging and Labs facility here, Mr. Singh said people now often search their symptoms online before visiting a doctor.
"Now ChatGPT has also come. Whatever happens, the first thing people do is to search online," he said, adding that increased awareness about one's health was a positive development but also posed a challenge.
Mr. Singh said a person experiencing mild chest pain could search the symptom online and soon conclude that he was suffering from a "serious" heart disease, although such pain could also result from anxiety or muscle-related problems.
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