Health experts in Tanzania have raised alarm over a growing trend of people using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to self-diagnose and prescribe medicines without consulting qualified doctors.
The trend, which has become common especially among young people and urban residents, is being fueled by the rapid spread of AI-powered health chatbots and medical advice apps available on smartphones and social media platforms.
While these tools can provide helpful general information, health professionals warn that relying on AI for diagnosis or prescriptions can be dangerous — leading to misuse of medicine, drug resistance, and worsening of untreated conditions.
Dr. Fatuma Mwakalinga, a pharmacist based in Dar es Salaam, said many users mistakenly believe AI tools can replace doctors.
“AI can provide guidance, but it cannot examine a patient or understand their full medical history,” she said. “We are seeing cases where people take antibiotics or painkillers based on online advice, which is risky and often incorrect.”
Some users reportedly ask AI chatbots to identify diseases using symptoms or upload photos of skin rashes, coughs, or test results for automated analysis — a trend health experts describe as “digital self-medication.”
The Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) says it is closely monitoring the rise of unregulated online medical platforms.
A spokesperson from the agency said the government plans to introduce new digital health regulations to ensure that AI medical tools meet national safety standards before being used by the public.
“We are not against innovation,” the spokesperson said. “But when technology is used to diagnose or prescribe medicine, it must be supervised by licensed health professionals.”
The Tanzania Medical Association (MAT) has urged the Ministry of Health to launch a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the dangers of self-medicating using AI and unverified online sources.
They also called for stronger penalties for pharmacies that sell prescription drugs without proper consultation or prescriptions.
AI technology is transforming healthcare globally, offering tools for early diagnosis, remote monitoring, and data analysis. But experts say in Tanzania and other developing nations, where medical literacy remains low, these tools must be introduced responsibly and with public education.
“AI should complement doctors — not replace them,” said Dr. Mwakalinga. “Health care still requires the human touch, empathy, and expertise that no machine can fully provide.”
